Once Upon a Time by Gabriel Okara – Summary, Analysis, Themes, Tone, Mood and Meaning

Once upon a time, son,
they used to laugh with their hearts
and laugh with their eyes:
but now they only laugh with their teeth,
while their ice-block-cold eyes
search behind my shadow.

There was a time indeed
they used to shake hands with their hearts:
but that’s gone, son.
Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left hands search
my empty pockets.

‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’:
they say, and when I come
again and feel
at home, once, twice,
there will be no thrice-
for then I find doors shut on me.

So I have learned many things, son.
I have learned to wear many faces
like dresses – homeface,
officeface, streetface, hostface,
cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles
like a fixed portrait smile.

And I have learned too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say,’Goodbye’,
when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:
to say ‘Glad to meet you’,
without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
nice talking to you’, after being bored.

But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!

So show me, son,
how to laugh; show me how
I used to laugh and smile
once upon a time when I was like you.

Background of the Poem Once upon a time by Gabriel Okara

Gabriel Okara’s “Once Upon a Time” is a reflective and emotionally charged poem that explores the erosion of genuine human relationships in the face of modernity, hypocrisy, and changing social values. Written by one of Nigeria’s foremost literary voices, the poem emerges from the post-colonial era when African societies were undergoing immense transformation. Traditional values of warmth, sincerity, and communal living were being replaced by Western-influenced behaviours that often emphasized pretence over authenticity. Okara uses the poem to lament how these social changes have reshaped interpersonal relations and affected individuals’ emotional lives.

The poem is framed as a father’s intimate conversation with his son. This father-to-son structure is significant because it mirrors the cultural practice of elders passing wisdom to younger generations. However, instead of cultural pride or moral instruction, the father expresses regret and disillusionment, admitting how he has been forced to adopt insincere social habits to survive in a changing society. This confessional tone points to a crisis of identity caused by social pressure, demonstrating that even well-meaning individuals can become products of corrupt social environments.

Moreover, the poem’s title—“Once Upon a Time”—evokes the nostalgic tone of a folktale, suggesting a longing for a bygone era when relationships were rooted in sincerity. Okara contrasts that past with the present, where people “laugh with their teeth” and possess “ice-block-cold eyes.” The background therefore highlights a major thematic concern of African literature: how modernization, colonization, and social expectations reshape human behaviour at the expense of sincerity, integrity, and emotional authenticity.

Summary / Analysis of the Poem Once upon a time by Gabriel Okara

The poem opens with the speaker reminiscing about a past when people “used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes.” This line establishes the emotional sincerity that characterized his earlier experiences of social relations. But the contrast comes quickly and sharply: “now they only laugh with their teeth / while their ice-block-cold eyes / search behind my shadow.” The imagery of coldness and suspicion reveals a society where people smile outwardly but harbour hidden motives. This shift reflects the transformation of social bonds from genuine warmth to calculated performance.

Okara extends this contrast to physical gestures: “There was a time indeed / they used to shake hands with their hearts: but that’s gone, son.” Shaking hands “with their hearts” symbolizes trust and emotional openness, but now handshakes are empty gestures—rituals devoid of sincerity. The poet deepens this critique with the line, “while their left hands search my empty pockets,” suggesting exploitation, greed, or opportunism hidden behind polite appearances. Social relations, therefore, have become transactional, based not on mutual respect but on what one can extract from others.

Hospitality, a cherished African value, is also shown to have deteriorated. The speaker explains how hosts say “‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’,” yet when he takes them at their word, “there will be no thrice— / for then I find doors shut on me.” This exposes the hypocrisy embedded in everyday expressions of friendliness. Words that once carried sincerity have become hollow social formulas. Okara uses this scenario to show how deception is normalized, creating an environment where people must be cautious, guarded, or performative just to belong.

The speaker then reveals how he has adapted to this insincere world: “So I have learned many things, son. / I have learned to wear many faces like dresses.” The metaphor of faces as “dresses” suggests constant switching of identities to fit various social situations—“homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface.” Each face is accompanied by “their conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile,” implying that society pressures individuals to behave in certain ways even when those behaviours do not reflect their true selves. The poem emphasizes that such adaptation leads to emotional fragmentation and loss of authenticity.

By the end of the poem, the father confesses, “And I have learned too to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart,” showing how he has become what he once disliked. This confession carries a tone of remorse, and speaking to his son indicates his desire to break the cycle. He does not want his son to inherit these artificial behaviours, suggesting hope that the younger generation can return to sincerity. Ultimately, the poem critiques the social systems—modernity, hypocrisy, and the pressures to conform—that push individuals away from genuine emotional expression, while also expressing a longing for a return to authentic human connection.

Settings of “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara

The setting of Gabriel Okara’s “Once Upon a Time” is deliberately broad and universal, making the poem resonate with readers from any culture or region. The spatial or physical setting is not tied to a specific town, country, or environment; rather, it takes place in the general spaces of everyday human interaction—homes, workplaces, streets, social gatherings, and any place where people meet and exchange greetings. This universality comes through clearly when the speaker describes how people “laugh with their teeth” or how their “ice-block-cold eyes search behind my shadow.” These behaviours are not limited to a particular location; they represent a global pattern of superficiality and mistrust found in modern societies. Because the poem avoids naming places, its message becomes relevant to readers across the world, allowing it to function as a timeless social commentary.

While the spatial setting is universal, the temporal setting is equally fluid. The poem operates in two broad periods: the past and the present. Okara constructs this contrast through the nostalgic tone established in the opening line, “Once upon a time, son,” which echoes the storytelling voice of fairy tales and childhood memories. The speaker remembers a time—perhaps decades earlier—when people “used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes,” indicating a period characterized by warmth, sincerity, and community values. In contrast, the present time is marked by emotional coldness and pretence, captured through the repeated use of the word “now,” such as in “now they only laugh with their teeth.” Although the poem does not state an exact year or era, the speaker’s reflective tone suggests he is in the later stage of life, looking back with regret at how society has changed. This timelessness gives the poem enduring relevance, as every generation can relate to the feeling that things were once better.

The psychological setting centers on the speaker’s inner conflict, emotional fatigue, and longing for authenticity. Throughout the poem, his reflections reveal a mind troubled by the pressure to conform to a society filled with duplicity. He confesses that he has “learned to wear many faces like dresses,” exposing a fractured psychological state where one’s identity shifts constantly depending on social expectations. This mental conflict intensifies when he admits that he has also learned “to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart.” These lines show a painful recognition that he has become part of the very insincerity he criticizes. His decision to reveal these feelings to his “son” adds emotional depth, showing a desire to break free from this psychological burden and perhaps restore the innocence he once possessed. The psychological setting, therefore, dramatizes the deep emotional consequences of living in an insincere world.

Closely tied to this is the social setting of the poem, which depicts a society dominated by hypocrisy, artificial politeness, and transactional relationships. The speaker recalls how hospitality used to be sincere, but now people who say “Feel at home!” and “Come again” shut their doors on him once he returns a third time. This behaviour highlights a society where words have lost their meaning, functioning instead as polite social rituals with no true intention behind them. Likewise, the handshake that once came “with their hearts” has become nothing more than a cold gesture, often driven by self-interest, as shown when people greet him while their “left hands search my empty pockets.” In this social environment, authenticity becomes dangerous, forcing individuals to adopt social masks for survival. The poem thus exposes a moral and cultural decline in which sincerity is replaced by cunning, and warmth is replaced by calculated friendliness.

Historically, the poem reflects the broader changes that accompanied post-colonial African societies, particularly Nigeria, where Western influence reshaped social behaviour. In the pre-colonial or early traditional era, relationships were built on communal values, emotional openness, and shared humanity—beautifully symbolized by the ability to “laugh with their hearts.” However, with increased urbanization, commercialization, and cultural shifts, society became more individualistic and materialistic. This historical transformation explains why the speaker now feels compelled to adopt “homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface,” switching identities to fit the expectations of a rapidly changing world. The poem therefore captures both the cultural and historical evolution of social relations, showing how once-authentic communal values have been replaced by an artificial modern culture that rewards pretence over sincerity.

Themes in “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara

Loss of Innocence and Sincerity
A dominant theme in the poem is the loss of innocence and the disappearance of genuine sincerity from human relationships. The speaker nostalgically recalls a past when people “used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes,” suggesting that interactions once carried warmth, truth, and emotional honesty. However, this innocence is now lost, replaced with cold artificial gestures such as laughing “with their teeth” while their “ice-block-cold eyes” reveal suspicion and hidden motives. Okara’s depiction of this shift shows how society has drifted away from heartfelt connection, pushing individuals into a world where sincerity is rare and innocence fades as people grow older.

Hypocrisy and Duplicity in Social Relations
Another important theme is the widespread hypocrisy and pretence in contemporary social relations. The poem criticizes the artificial kindness and deceptive friendliness people display. For example, the speaker notes that people “shake hands without hearts while their left hands search my empty pockets,” revealing how outward politeness disguises selfish intentions. Even common expressions such as “Feel at home!” and “Come again” have become meaningless, as the same individuals who say these words later shut their doors on him. These contradictions highlight a society in which people pretend to be warm and welcoming but act with dishonesty and ulterior motives.

Identity Fragmentation and Social Mask-Wearing
The poem also addresses the theme of fractured identity caused by social expectations. The speaker admits that he has learned to “wear many faces like dresses,” showing how he constantly changes his behaviour depending on where he is or who he is interacting with. He lists these masks—“homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface”—demonstrating how society forces people to perform roles instead of being true to themselves. Each face is accompanied by a “fixed portrait smile,” revealing a sense of emotional stiffness and insincerity. This theme exposes how modern life compels individuals to suppress their true feelings and adopt socially acceptable identities, even when these identities erode their sense of self.

Nostalgia and Yearning for the Past
A deep sense of nostalgia runs through the poem, expressed through the speaker’s longing for a time when social relations were authentic and emotionally fulfilling. The opening line, “Once upon a time, son,” immediately establishes a reflective, wistful tone, similar to the beginning of a childhood story. The speaker repeatedly contrasts how people “used to” behave with how they behave “now,” emphasizing his longing for the sincerity and kindness that once defined human interactions. This nostalgia not only reveals his disappointment in the present but also serves as a critique of modernity’s impact on interpersonal values.

Parent–Child Relationship and Moral Instruction
Another crucial theme is the parent-child relationship, which frames the poem as a moral lesson from an older generation to a younger one. The speaker addresses the entire monologue to his “son,” symbolizing the innocence and honesty that still exist in youth. By confessing that he too has “learned to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart,” the father is not boasting of adaptation but warning his son against following the same path of insincerity. This theme highlights the poem’s deeper purpose: to guide the next generation toward authenticity, integrity, and emotional honesty, despite the corrupting forces of society

Tone of the Poem

reflective, nostalgic, regretful, critical, emotional, contemplative, honest, serious, intimate, instructive, subdued, observant, melancholic, candid, thoughtful

Reflective and Nostalgic
The tone of “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara is primarily reflective and nostalgic, as the speaker looks back on a past filled with sincerity and warmth. This tone is immediately established through the opening line, “Once upon a time, son,” which evokes the memory of childhood storytelling and a simpler, more honest era. The speaker’s reflections on how people “used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes” reinforce the longing for a time when social interactions were genuine. This nostalgic tone enhances the poem’s emotional depth, making readers aware of the dramatic shift from authenticity to artificiality in human relations.

 Critical and Disappointed
Alongside nostalgia, the poem carries a critical and disappointed tone directed toward the modern world’s duplicity and hypocrisy. The speaker’s observations that people “laugh with only their teeth” and shake hands “without hearts” show his disapproval of the superficial behaviour now dominating society. His critique becomes sharper when he notes that people greet him warmly while their “left hands search my empty pockets,” exposing the hidden greed beneath polite expressions. Through this critical tone, Okara highlights the moral decay and loss of genuine values in contemporary social interactions.

Confessional and Cautionary
The tone also becomes confessional and cautionary as the speaker admits that he too has adapted to society’s insincerity. When he confesses, “I have learned to wear many faces like dresses,” the tone shifts to one of honesty and regret. This confession is not merely personal—it serves as a warning to his “son,” encouraging the younger generation to avoid falling into the same pattern of pretence. The cautionary tone deepens the poem’s message, emphasizing the importance of preserving authenticity even in a world that encourages deception.

Mood of the Poem

somber, thoughtful, uneasy, sorrowful, reflective, tense, melancholic, contemplative, emotional, subdued, empathetic, introspective, nostalgic, restrained, piercing

Somber and Thoughtful
The mood of the poem is somber and thoughtful, encouraging readers to reflect on the decline of sincerity in modern social life. As the speaker describes how people now only “laugh with their teeth” and no longer laugh with their hearts, readers are drawn into a contemplative emotional space. This somber mood makes the audience question their own social behaviour and consider whether they too participate in superficial interactions. It creates a quiet, reflective atmosphere that aligns with the speaker’s introspective storytelling.

 Uneasy and Disillusioned
Another noticeable mood is one of uneasiness and disillusionment. Lines such as “their ice-block-cold eyes search behind my shadow” evoke a sense of distrust and emotional coldness. Readers feel the discomfort the speaker experiences in a world where kindness is a mask and friendliness hides ulterior motives. The moment when he is told “Come again,” only to find “doors shut on me,” intensifies the feeling of betrayal and emotional instability. This uneasy mood invites readers to empathize with the speaker’s disappointment and loss of trust in human relations.

Hopeful Yet Cautious
Despite the prevailing sadness, the poem also creates a mood that is cautiously hopeful, especially toward the end. When the speaker directs his words to his “son,” readers sense a subtle hope that younger generations may resist the pressures of hypocrisy. Even though the world has taught the speaker to “laugh with only my teeth,” the act of confessing this to his son creates a mood of potential restoration and renewal. This final mood encourages readers to believe that authenticity can still be reclaimed, even in a society dominated by pretence.

Figures of Speech in “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara

1. Metaphor – “laugh with their teeth”
   This metaphor compares the present-day laughter of people to something mechanical or emotionless. By saying people “laugh with their teeth,” Okara suggests that their laughter lacks warmth and sincerity.
2. Metaphor – “ice-block-cold eyes”
   This is a powerful metaphor describing emotional coldness. The eyes are compared to “ice-block,” emphasizing hardness, distance, and lack of affection.
3. Metaphor – “wear many faces like dresses”
   Here, “faces” are metaphorically compared to “dresses,” showing how the speaker changes his personality according to different social situations. It conveys disguise and pretence.
4. Simile – “faces like dresses”
   The comparison between faces and dresses is a simile because of the use of “like.” It reinforces the idea of changing identities easily and frequently.
5. Simile – “conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile”
   This simile compares fake smiles to the stiff, unmoving smile in a portrait picture. It suggests lack of authenticity and naturalness.
6. Hyperbole – “there will be no thrice”
   This is an exaggeration emphasizing how quickly people end their hospitality. After welcoming him twice, they shut their doors. The exaggeration drives home the lack of genuine kindness.
7. Personification – “their left hands search my empty pockets”
   Hands are described as “searching,” which gives human intention to a body part. It emphasizes greed and ulterior motives behind greetings.
8. Alliteration – “laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes”
   The repetition of the “l” sound in “laugh” creates musicality and emphasizes sincerity of past interactions.
9. Repetition – “Once upon a time” / “used to” / “now”
   Okara repeats these phrases to contrast the past with the present. “Once upon a time” signals nostalgia, “used to” emphasizes the lost authenticity, and “now” highlights the current corruption of social values.
10. Irony – “Feel at home!” and “Come again”
    These phrases are intended to sound welcoming, but the speaker discovers “doors shut on me” when he tries to come again. The contradiction creates situational irony.

Imagery in “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara

Below are imagery types that can be directly felt from the lines, without forcing those that do not exist.

1. Visual Imagery

These images appeal to the sense of sight.

• “laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes”
  You can seethe genuine happiness shining from the eyes.
• “laugh with only their teeth”
  This creates a clear mental picture of a stiff, forced smile.
• “ice-block-cold eyes”
  This lets the reader see cold, emotionless eyes.
• “many faces like dresses”
  This visual image helps the reader picture someone changing expressions like changing clothes.
• “fixed portrait smile”
  One can easily visualize the rigid, artificial smile of a portrait.
• “doors shut on me”
  A powerful visual image that symbolizes exclusion and rejection.

2. Tactile Imagery (sense of touch)

• “ice-block-cold eyes”
  This also works as tactile imagery, because “cold” appeals to the sense of touch. It suggests emotional coldness one can feel.

3. Organic Imagery (inner feelings, internal emotional state)

• “I have learned to wear many faces”
  Creates a sense of emotional discomfort and inner conflict.
• “laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart”
  Shows internal emptiness and loss of genuine feeling.
• “I find doors shut on me”
  Evokes the feeling of rejection and emotional pain.

4. Auditory Imagery

Very minimal in this poem, but there is one clear example:

• “Feel at home!” / “Come again”
  These phrases create a sense of hearing friendly, welcoming voices—though ironically empty.

5. Kinesthetic Imagery (movement)

Only one mild example:

• “left hands search my empty pockets”
  This line captures movement—the hands reaching, searching—evoking a sneaky, probing action.