Once Upon A Time [Gabriel Okara] | General English Unit 3 | JKBOSE Class 12th Notes

Lesson 3      

Reference to the text:-

Stanza-1 “……..but now they only laOugh with their teeth……………my shadow”.

a)Why have the eyes of the modern man been compared to a block of ice ?
Ans. The eyes of the modern man have been compared to a block of ice because they are without love, warmth and affection.

b) How does one laugh with the teeth?
Ans. One laughs with one’s teeth when one’s laughter is fake, fabricated, and deceptive.

c)What is the poetic device used for?
Ans. Transferred epithet is used here

d) People now search for something in the poet’s shadow? This shows that they are(Tick the correct answer)
disinterested in the poet even though he is apparently smiling at him.
interested in the poet’s background.
greeting the poet without any interest to do so. 
Ans. This shows that they are greeting the poet without any interest to do so.


Stanza- 2. “And I have learned, too………………………………after being bored.”

a)What has the narrator learnt to do?
Ans. The narrator has learnt to laugh with only his teeth and shake hands without his heart.

b)What does the poet mean when he says ‘Glad to meet you,?
Ans. When the poet says ‘Glade to meet you’ he actually means opposite of it.

c)What does the poet mean when he says, ‘it’s been nice talking to you”?

Ans .By this, the poet means that he felt bored while talking with his fellows.

d) Is the poet happy with the change in him?
Ans. No, the poet is not happy with the change in him.


Stanza-3. “Show me, son…………..when I like you”.

a) What does the father want the son to teach him?
Ans. The  father wants the son to teach him how to laugh with his heart and eyes.

b)Why does he want his son to teach him?
Ans. He wants his son to teach him these good values because he wants to be what he used to be when he was like his son.

c) What kind of person was the poet when he was young?
innocent and affected
sophisticated and natural
innocent and natural

Ans. The poet was innocent and natural when he was young.

Q4.How does the poet feel at the change in him and in the society? 

Ans. The poet feels critically, regretfully ,analytically and penetratingly at the change in him and in the society.


Explanation with reference to the context:-

1.“Once upon a time ,son ---------------------------------------search behind my shadows”.

Context:-These lines have been taken from the poem, “Once Upon a Time” written by Gabriel Okara. Here, the poet makes a vivid comparison between the values of the past and the present .The poet is regretful over the vanishing values like love, affection, sincerity, honesty etc. from the society.

Explanation:-In the lines here under discussion, the poet addresses his son saying regretfully that in the past the people used to laugh with sincerity and warmth. Their behaviour used to be candid. But now the people do not have candidness in their laughter and behaviour. They have now become indifferent and cold in their approach.

2.“Feel at home,’ come again’----------------------- For then I find the door shut on me.”

Context:-  Same as above.

Explanation:-In the lines here under discussion, the poet presents an interesting account of the treatment being given to the guest by the host. Apparently, the host seems to be very sincere and cordial in his treatment for the guest .But! The inner feelings of the host for the guest are repulsive and unwelcoming.


3.“So, I have learnt many things ,son,----------------------------------  Like a fixed portrait smile.”

Context:- Same as above.

Explanation:-In the lines here under discussion, the poet discloses before his son that he has been able to make adjustments in the environment surrounding him. He has learnt to change the expression of his face in accordance with the demanding situation. He does not allow his inner feelings to get surfaced upon his face.