Study questions:

1 What is the theme of the short story? Consider the setting in time and place.

2 Is there any example of irony and foreshadowing?

3 Is the family´s race clearly stated in the short story? Whats effect does it have?

4 What symbols are used in Gordimer's "Once upon a Time"? E.g. the wall, witch and cat.

5 How does the author´s decision to set the story in a fairy-tale world affect your reading experience?

6 Analyze the narrative situation.

7 How do you perceive the unstated ending of Gordimer's story?