Question

Once Upon A Time by Nadine Gordimer

What can you infer about what Gordimer leaves unstated at the end of her story? How does it relate to her statement about the family living "happily ever after"?

Answer 1

What you can infer about what Gordimer leaves unstated at the end of the story is the family`s reaction after the death of the couple`s little boy. She didn`t write about the parent`s feelings while they carried the bleeding body of their son into their house. At this point, you can also infer that the parents realized how fool they were and they recognized their mistake of trying to overprotect themselves from an unknown force which threatened their safety.

It relates to the statement about the family living "happily ever after" by demostrating that no one really lives happily ever after, since everybody will always go through one hardship after the other, but no matter what, you have to see the positive side of everything.

Answer 2

Here are the answers to the following questions:
1. What can you infer about what Gordimer leaves unstated at the end of her story?

Nadine Gordimer is a well-known South African because of her vocal in political activism. She wrote novels and short stories that reveals different faces of the apartheid regime. She was part of that regime and very opposed to it. The story Once Upon A Time was published just before Nelson Mandela was released from prison. It was also the brink of South Africa's transformation.

2. How does it relate to her statement about the family living "happily ever after"?

The whole story gives us a hint about Gordimer's own political persuasion - that includes her belief in freedom of expression. She is someone who won't let others dictate her.