There are two kinds of writing, Commercial and Literary. Commercial or escapist pieces are purely for the reader's entertainment and for making money. Literary works however are often crafted with a deeper meaning designed purposefully to make the reader think and are rarely predictable. The short story, "Once Upon A Time," by Nadine Gordimer has both Literary and Commercial qualities.
             This story is partially Literary because it is a short story and doesn't try to please the reader. The story does not have the typical fairy-tale happy ending. Even though there is foreshadowing in the beginning of the story with the line, "Where the family lives happily ever after" (Gordimer 184), the story was not predictable. The Escapist side is that there is an emphasis on the plot and storyline and not so much the characters who were easily defined as good and bad.
             The Mother-in-Law is titled the "Wise old Witch" because of her age, wisdom and views. The Mother-in-Law is the true instigator in this dark story. She plants the seeds of fear in her son and daughter-in-law. In the beginning of the story it says, "For when they began to live happily ever after they were warned, by the wise old witch, the husband's mother, not to take anyone off the street" (Gordimer 184). She not only encourages the family but is willing to go the extra step. An example would be because she thinks the wall should be built up she buys bricks for the family on Christmas. This is really the only mention of the wise-old- Witch. We assume she never changes her views about the danger to the family, or on the outsiders. She has no conflict about anything so she is completely flat.
             The father plays the part of provider and people pleaser. His wife fears the riots and wants a new security system. When the decision was made to buy the gates and system, he provided them, even though he doesn't think it was nec...