Analysis of Okara's "Once Upon a Time"
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Rameshkumar NivarshanaAnalysis of Okara's "Once Upon a Time"
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Powered by AIOkara's attitude towards westernization is one of bitterness and lamentation. He criticizes the insincerity and superficiality introduced by Western culture, as seen in expressions that lack warmth like the metaphor "ice-block-cold eyes" and the mechanical use of English collocations. These examples highlight his disappointment with the societal shift towards artificial interactions and the loss of genuine relationships and values, reflecting a deep-seated regret and longing for the sincerity of his cultural heritage .
The poem uses similes such as comparing a smile to a "fixed portrait smile" or laughter in the mirror to "snake’s bear fangs." These similes emphasize the artificial nature of modern smiles and interactions, underscoring the insincerity and performative nature of societal behavior influenced by Western culture. By using these vivid comparisons, Okara effectively reinforces his critique of the loss of genuine emotion and connection in contemporary society .
English collocations like "Feel at home," "Come again," and "Goodbye" serve as examples of how language has become a tool for insincerity and deception in modern African society. They are often used mechanically, lacking genuine intent, to deceive or fulfill social obligations superficially. Okara points out that these phrases are borrowed from Western culture but used without true commitment, highlighting the dissonance between outward expressions and inner realities, which is a symptom of cultural and societal shifts .
"Once Upon a Time" employs a first-person narrative in the form of a dramatic monologue, enabling the reader to directly engage with the poet's expressions of regret and frustration over cultural transformation. This structure creates a personal and emotional dialogue as the poet addresses his son, reminiscing about the past's authenticity and lamenting the present's superficiality. The narrative approach reflects the internal conflict and emotional distress experienced by the poet in adapting to new cultural norms while longing for traditional values .
The description of modern humans as wearing "different faces" for various occasions serves as a critique of the performative nature of contemporary society. This imagery suggests that individuals have become adept at adopting various façades to navigate social interactions, ultimately losing genuine identity and sincerity. By highlighting the use of "home face," "office face," and others, Okara implies that people's interactions have become transactional and deceitful rather than sincere, criticizing how societal expectations have led to a loss of authentic human connection .
Okara's poem reflects the identity crisis faced by Africans through its portrayal of cultural confusion and loss of traditional values. Post-colonization, Africans experienced a clash between their tribal culture and Western ideals introduced during colonization. This left many unsure of their identity, who they were, and how to act, as their own culture had been overshadowed by Western influences. The longing for a past filled with sincerity suggests a deep yearning for a clearer cultural identity that has been destabilized by these changes .
Gabriel Okara explores cultural clash by depicting the transformative impact of westernization on African society's identity and values. The poem describes how native African culture, characterized by virtues like wholeheartedness and honesty, was replaced by the superficiality of Western practices. For instance, he contrasts the genuine laughter of the past with the current insincere, "teeth" laughter brought about by cultural amalgamation. The poem articulates the confusion and identity loss experienced by Africans post-colonization, wrestling between traditional values and Western influence .
Okara employs the metaphor "ice-block-cold eyes" to capture the emotional detachment and lack of sincerity in modern human interactions. This metaphor exaggerates the coldness and lack of warmth in people's behavior, reinforcing the poem's themes of superficiality and insincerity born from modern and Western societal influences .
The free verse style of "Once Upon a Time" complements the themes of cultural loss and identity by providing a flexible and organic form that mirrors the cultural fluidity and emotional turmoil discussed. The absence of a fixed rhyme or meter reflects the confusion and lack of direction caused by cultural disruption, while conveying the poet's emotional sincerity and natural conversational tone. This form underscores the search for identity in a society that has become disassociated from its roots .
The poem contrasts the innocence of childhood with the learned insincerity of adulthood. The father in the poem asks his son to teach him to laugh and smile authentically again, as he has forgotten how due to adopting Western manners. This dynamic highlights the retention of traditional values in children and the subsequent deterioration of these values as one matures and succumbs to societal changes, emphasizing how innocence is eroded by societal pressures .