Once Upon a Time
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Themes
All Themes Wealth Inequality and Fear Apartheid, Racism, and Property Separation and the Illusion of Security Storytelling
Quotes
Characters
All Characters The Narrator The Man / The Husband The Woman / The Wife The Little Boy / The Son The Housemaid The Husband’s Mother
Symbols
All Symbols The Razor Wire
Download PDF
Download Teacher Edition
Sign In

Once Upon a Time

by

Nadine Gordimer

Once Upon a Time Symbols

The Razor Wire

The razor wire is symbolic of apartheid, which destroyed South African society by keeping different races apart. Apartheid is an Afrikaans word that literally means “aparthood” or “separateness,” so the razor wire—which is meant to…

read analysis of The Razor Wire

The Razor Wire Symbol Icon
Home About Contact Help
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved
Terms Privacy Privacy Request
The LitCharts.com logo.
Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to request a guide
Already have an account? Sign in
The LitCharts.com logo.
Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account.
You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to access notes and highlights
Already have an account? Sign in
The LitCharts.com logo.
Saving guides requires a free LitCharts account
Easily access your saved guides anytime.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to save guides
Already have an account? Sign in