Question

Which three excerpts from Nadine Gordimer's “Once Upon a Time” are reminiscent of those elements found in traditional fairy tales? Select all that apply. In a house … there were a man and his wife who loved each other very much and were living happily ever after. … they were warned, by that wise old witch … not to take on anyone off the street. I was waiting for it; waiting to hear if it indicated that feet were moving from room to room, coming up the passage—to my door. So I began to tell myself a story, a bedtime story The little boy was fascinated by the device and used it as a walkie-talkie in cops and robbers play with his small friends. … as her Christmas present to her son and his wife—the little boy got a Space Man outfit and a book of fairy tales. the Prince who braves the terrible thicket of thorns to enter the palace and kiss the Sleeping Beauty back to life.

Answer 1

It's not completely clear where the options start and stop, but here you go!
"In a house … there were a man and his wife who loved each other very much and were living happily ever after. … they were warned, by that wise old witch … not to take on anyone off the street." Happily ever after and wise old witches are typical fairy tale traits. Also a Prince is typical for fairy tales so this one is also a correct option "the Prince who braves the terrible thicket of thorns to enter the palace and kiss the Sleeping Beauty back to life."

Answer 2

The story could be dubbed as a modern fairy tale. The story takes place "In a house" which indicates that it took place in an unspecified place. The lines "...there were a man and his wife who loved each other very much and were living happily ever after." resembles closing remarks of traditional fairy tales. The line "... they were warned, by that wise old witch" contains magical elements, namely witch in this context. The line " … as her Christmas present to her son and his wife" is an indication for the use of threes in the lights of a woman, her son and son's wife.