Gordimer Allusion

566 Words3 Pages
Fairy tales can be looked at as escape literature, however within the story Once Upon a Time it tells a story of deep meaning than just a family with paranoia issues. It all begins with the line “the little boy got a Space Man outfit and a book of fairy tales” (Gordimer 255). Nadine Gordimer emphasized apartheid through allusions of fairy tales within the story “Once Upon a Time”. Gordimer’s description of the “happy” family’s home is one with large fences, walls and many “safety” devices ensuring its safety. After the trusted housemaid made the suggestion of adding bars over all the doors and windows, the parents agreed. “They now saw the trees and sky through bars…” (Gordimer 254). This could be an allusion to the fairy tale of Rapunzel