Once Upon A Time My Son - Gabriel Okara

Answer the following contextual questions in the given pattern.

a. Identify the poem and name the poet of the given lines.

b. Discuss the context of the lines and appreciate them critically in about 75 words.

1. Once upon a time, son, they used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes:

Poem: Once Upon a Time

Poet: Gabriel Okara

Context

These lines are from the beginning of the poem where the father speaks to his son. He remembers the past when people were sincere and genuine in their behaviour. He compares those times with the present, where relationships have become artificial and less honest.

Explanation

The poet says that earlier people laughed with their hearts and eyes, showing true happiness and honesty. Their emotions were real and not hidden. Now, such genuine feelings are rare, and people often pretend instead of expressing true emotions.

Critical Appreciation

These lines are simple but very powerful. The poet uses repetition and imagery to show the difference between past and present. The contrast creates a feeling of sadness and loss. The lines effectively introduce the theme of the poem—loss of sincerity in human relationships.

2. But now they only laugh with their teeth, while their ice-block-cold eyes search behind my shadow.

Poem: Once Upon a Time

Poet: Gabriel Okara

b. Context

These lines come from the part of the poem where the father explains how people’s behaviour has changed in modern times. After remembering the sincere past, he now describes the present world. He feels that people are no longer honest in their relationships and interactions.

Explanation

The poet says that people now laugh only with their teeth, not with real feelings. Their eyes are described as “ice-block-cold,” which shows a lack of warmth and kindness. While smiling, they secretly watch and judge others, looking for personal benefit.

Critical Appreciation

These lines strongly show the theme of hypocrisy in society. The poet uses vivid imagery like “ice-block-cold eyes” to create a clear picture in the reader’s mind. The contrast between past and present makes the message powerful. It expresses the poet’s disappointment with modern human relationships.

3. I have learned to wear many faces like dresses—homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface…

Poem: Once Upon a Time

Poet: Gabriel Okara

b. Context

These lines appear in the poem when the father admits how he has changed over time. After criticising society for being artificial, he realizes that he too has become a part of it. He shares this honestly with his son.

Explanation

The poet says that he has learned to wear many “faces” like dresses. This means he behaves differently in different situations—at home, office, street, or social gatherings. These “faces” are not real but are used to suit each situation.

Critical Appreciation

These lines clearly show the theme of loss of identity. The metaphor “faces like dresses” is very effective and easy to understand. It shows how people hide their true selves. The tone is honest and regretful, making the lines powerful and meaningful.

4. But believe me, son. I want to be what I used to be when I was like you. I want to unlearn all these muting things.

Poem: Once Upon a Time

Poet: Gabriel Okara

b. Context

These lines come towards the end of the poem, where the father speaks emotionally to his son. After admitting his own artificial behaviour, he expresses a deep desire to return to his earlier, innocent self. He looks at his son as a symbol of purity and truth.

Explanation

The poet says that he wants to become like he was in his childhood—honest and natural. He wants to “unlearn” the false habits he has developed over time. The phrase “muting things” refers to the artificial behaviours that hide true feelings.

Critical Appreciation

These lines are emotional and hopeful. The poet uses simple language to express regret and a desire for change. The tone is sincere and touching. It highlights the theme of self-realisation and the wish to regain lost innocence. The lines leave a strong impact on the reader.

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

1. How does Once Upon a Time explore the theme of loss of innocence?

In Once Upon a Time, Gabriel Okara shows how people lose their innocence as they grow older. The father remembers his childhood when people were honest and happy. They laughed with their hearts and eyes, showing true feelings. This represents innocence.

As he grows up, he learns to behave like others in society. He starts hiding his real emotions and becomes artificial. He says he has learned to wear many “faces,” which shows that he is no longer his true self.

The poem clearly shows that innocence is lost because of social pressure. People change to fit into society. In the end, the father feels regret and wants to become innocent again like his son. This shows that innocence is valuable and its loss brings sadness.

2. In what ways does the poem portray the difference between childhood sincerity and adult hypocrisy?

The poem shows a clear difference between childhood and adulthood. In childhood, people are sincere and honest. The father says that earlier people laughed with their hearts and eyes. This shows true happiness and openness.

In contrast, adults are shown as hypocritical. They laugh only with their teeth, not with real feelings. Their eyes are described as “cold,” showing a lack of warmth. Adults also behave differently in different places, wearing many “faces.”

Childhood is shown as pure and natural, while adulthood is shown as fake and controlled. The father feels that adults hide their true feelings for personal benefit. This contrast helps us understand how people lose sincerity as they grow older.

3. How is pretence in human relationships presented in the poem? Give examples.

Pretence is a major theme in the poem. Gabriel Okara shows that people do not express their true feelings. Instead, they act in a fake way to please others or gain something.

For example, people laugh only with their teeth, not with their hearts. This shows that their happiness is not real. Another example is when the poet says he has learned to wear many “faces” like dresses. This means he changes his behaviour depending on the situation.

People also greet others warmly but may not truly care for them. Their eyes are described as “ice-cold,” showing hidden feelings.

Through these examples, the poet shows that modern relationships are full of pretence. People hide their true selves, which makes relationships less honest and meaningful.