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Chapter 3

Research Methodology

This chapter contains the following areas of concern:

research design, corpus of the study, data collection, data

analysis, and ethical considerations.

Research Design

This study employs qualitative research design specifically

utilizing critical race theory in analyzing realities of racism

and apartheid in South Africa that are reflected in Nadine

Gordimer’s Once Upon A Time to reveal how these literary pieces

reflect his art of imagination through experience. CRT, or

critical race theory, is an interpretive and theoretical

framework that looks at the manifestation of racism and race in

the prevailing cultural expressions (Delgado et al., 2012).

The researchers will employ Critical Race Theory (CRT) as it

provides a powerful framework for analyzing the realities of

racism and apartheid in South Africa as reflected in Nadine

Gordimer’s Once Upon a Time. CRT allows for an in-depth

examination of how systemic racism and entrenched power

structures are represented in the text, uncovering the ways in

which race, privilege, and fear intersect within apartheid-era

South Africa.

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 This method highlights how the narrative exposes the

anxieties of white South Africans, the constructed barriers of

segregation, and the dehumanization of marginalized groups. By

interrogating the underlying ideologies and social dynamics

presented in the story, CRT fosters a deeper understanding of the

lived experiences of those oppressed under apartheid and the

perpetuation of racial hierarchies.

Through this approach, the research not only critiques the

social and political constructs of the time but also underscores

the ongoing relevance of these issues in contemporary discussions

about race and inequality. The insights gained can contribute to

broader discourses on justice and equity, empowering readers to

critically engage with the legacies of apartheid and systemic

racism.

Corpus of the Study

The corpus of the study is the frame story of Nadine Gordimer

entitled Once Upon A Time. This story is taken online at

https://www.jstor.org/stable/40548017.

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Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will search, download, and have one print

copy of Once Upon A Time by Nadine Gordimer that specifically

addressed the forms of racism that are reflected on the literary

convention and how the story reflects the social conditions of

apertheid in south africa to collect the necessary data.

Pre-Analysis Phase

Before delving into the text, the preparatory phase is

essential for setting the foundation of the study. This begins

with a comprehensive review of the historical and social context

of apartheid South Africa. Understanding the systemic racism and

segregation of this period provides critical insight into the

setting that shaped Gordimer’s work. Scholarly research on

apartheid and its societal impacts is collected, emphasizing

sources that align with CRT principles.

Simultaneously, the researcher familiarizes themselves with

Nadine Gordimer’s broader oeuvre, focusing on her views about

race, inequality, and resistance to oppression. Interviews,

essays, and critiques by Gordimer are examined to uncover her

intentions and recurring motifs in her storytelling. This phase

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also involves a thorough review of CRT literature to identify key

concepts such as systemic racism, white privilege, and

intersectionality that will guide the analysis.

Finally, a detailed framework is developed for analyzing the

four literary conventions—plot, character, theme, and symbolism.

This includes designing coding categories and identifying

potential markers of racism within the story. The pre-analysis

phase ensures that the researcher approaches the text with

clarity and a well-defined lens.

During Analysis Phase

The heart of the study lies in the analysis phase, which

begins with a close reading of Once Upon a Time. This step

involves systematically examining the story to uncover explicit

and implicit forms of racism in the literary conventions outlined

in the research questions.

The plot is analyzed for its structural elements and events

that reflect societal fears and systemic inequalities. Key

moments, such as the construction of the wall and its escalating

fortifications, are dissected for their racial implications and

parallels to apartheid’s policies of segregation and control.

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 In the character analysis, the focus shifts to how

individuals and groups are represented. This includes assessing

whether characters embody racial stereotypes or symbolize broader

social hierarchies. Special attention is given to the role of

marginalized characters and how they reflect the silenced or

oppressed voices in apartheid-era society.

The theme of the story is explored to uncover its central

messages about fear, division, and societal decay. The study

identifies how Gordimer critiques apartheid through the implicit

commentary woven into her narrative. This thematic analysis is

informed by CRT concepts such as counter-narratives and systemic

critique.

Finally, the symbolism in the story is scrutinized,

particularly objects like the barbed wire, which symbolize both

physical and psychological barriers. These symbols are

interpreted within the context of apartheid’s racial divisions,

demonstrating how Gordimer uses metaphor to critique systemic

racism.

Emerging patterns and themes are coded and categorized during

this phase. Qualitative data analysis tools or manual coding

methods are employed to group evidence according to recurring

motifs, aligning them with CRT principles. Throughout the

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analysis, the researcher maintains a reflective journal to

capture observations, challenges, and evolving interpretations.

Post-Analysis Phase

The final phase focuses on synthesizing the findings and

ensuring their validity through critical reflection and

triangulation. The identified themes are revisited and cross-

referenced with historical research and CRT literature to confirm

their relevance and accuracy. This step ensures that the study

does not rely solely on subjective interpretation but is grounded

in established theoretical and historical frameworks.

Comparisons are made between the story’s portrayal of racism

and the real-life conditions of apartheid South Africa,

demonstrating how Gordimer’s work reflects and critiques societal

realities. The insights from the coding process are integrated

into a cohesive narrative, showing how racism permeates the

story’s plot, characters, themes, and symbols.

Finally, the findings are contextualized within the broader

field of apartheid literature and CRT. This involves connecting

the study’s conclusions to existing scholarship on Gordimer and

racism in literature. The post-analysis phase concludes with the

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preparation of a detailed report that addresses the research

questions and highlights the significance of Gordimer’s work in

exposing and critiquing systemic racism.

Data Analysis

This study employs Critical Race Theory (CRT) serves as a

robust framework for analyzing systemic racism as portrayed in

Nadine Gordimer’s Once Upon a Time. Rooted in the idea that

racism is not limited to overt individual prejudice but is deeply

embedded in the culture, institutions, and structures of society,

CRT aligns closely with the historical context of apartheid South

Africa (Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. 2012)

Structural and Systemic Racism

At the core of CRT is the recognition that racism operates

on a structural level. It is not merely the result of individual

attitudes but a feature of societal systems designed to maintain

racial inequality. This principle provides a lens through which

Gordimer’s depiction of fear, division, and security measures can

be interpreted as reflections of apartheid-era segregation.

Delgado and Stefancic (2012) emphasize that systemic racism is

deeply ingrained in societal norms and policies, making it

resistant to superficial changes. The family’s construction of

walls and security measures in the story symbolizes the

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psychological and physical barriers enforced by apartheid to

sustain racial divisions.

Interest Convergence

Another significant principle of CRT is interest

convergence, which asserts that progress for marginalized groups

often aligns with the interests of those in power. Derrick Bell

(1980), who introduced this concept, argued that racial equity is

often advanced only when it benefits dominant groups. In Once

Upon a Time, the family’s actions—motivated by fear and the

desire to preserve privilege—reflect this dynamic. Their

increasing investment in security mirrors the broader societal

efforts under apartheid to protect the interests of the ruling

white minority, perpetuating systems of oppression under the

guise of self-preservation.

Counter-Narratives

Storytelling is central to CRT, particularly the use of

counter-narratives to amplify marginalized voices and challenge

dominant perspectives. Gordimer’s work functions as a counter-

narrative, critiquing apartheid and exposing its dehumanizing

effects. Solórzano and Yosso (2002) underscore the importance of

counter-narratives in revealing the lived realities of oppressed

communities. Although Once Upon a Time does not directly center

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on oppressed characters, the story’s underlying critique of

segregation and fear serves as a powerful commentary on the

consequences of systemic racism.

Intersectionality

Kimberlé Crenshaw’s (1991) concept of intersectionality,

another key tenet of CRT, highlights how various aspects of

identity—such as race, class, and gender—intersect to create

unique experiences of oppression. This principle is particularly

relevant in examining the interplay of privilege and

vulnerability within the family in Gordimer’s story. Their

socioeconomic status shapes their fears and actions, illustrating

how privilege operates within systems of inequality.

Critique of Colorblindness

CRT also challenges the notion of colorblindness, which

assumes that ignoring race will lead to equality. Delgado and

Stefancic (2012) argue that this perspective often perpetuates

inequality by obscuring the systemic nature of racism. In Once

Upon a Time, moments where racial realities are downplayed or

ignored highlight how avoidance can exacerbate division and

conflict, reinforcing apartheid’s injustices.

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 The primary data for this analysis is the text of Gordimer’s

Once Upon a Time. This narrative, with its allegorical richness

and thought-provoking symbolism, delves into themes of fear,

segregation, and racial inequality, making it particularly

suitable for CRT analysis. The study focuses on several aspects

of the text: narrative structure, symbolic representations (e.g.,

the wall and security systems), character behaviors and fears,

and the socio-historical context of apartheid South Africa.

Together, these elements reveal Gordimer’s critique of systemic

racism and its pervasive effects on both oppressors and the

oppressed.

Critical Race Theory offers a theoretical framework for

understanding these dynamics. Specifically, CRT explores race as

a social construct, the intersections of race and class, and the

ways racial privilege operates in society (Delgado & Stefancic,

2017). By applying CRT to Once Upon a Time, this analysis

uncovers how racial hierarchies and privileges manifest within

the story. For instance, the idea of whiteness as property is

evident in the family's focus on fortifying their home and

securing their "space" (Harris, 1993). Meanwhile, the narrative’s

counter-narratives challenge dominant ideologies of fear and

segregation, offering a subtle but powerful critique of

apartheid.

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 The preparation of data involved segmenting the story into

key passages that align with CRT themes. Significant segments

include the family’s fear-driven behavior, their reliance on

security measures, and the portrayal of the “outsiders.” These

passages were coded to identify recurring motifs and symbols,

such as the wall, barbed wire, and alarm systems, which serve as

metaphors for racial segregation and apartheid-era policies. The

analysis further contextualized these elements within the broader

socio-political framework of apartheid South Africa, recognizing

Gordimer’s intent as a critic of systemic inequality (Clingman,

1992).

The analysis followed a structured approach, starting with a

close reading of the text. This process uncovered the racial

subtexts and symbolic elements within the story, particularly

those tied to fear and segregation. Key symbols such as the wall

and security systems represent apartheid’s spatial control and

the irrational fear of the "other." Gordimer’s use of a fairy

tale format was also examined, revealing how it critiques

societal norms related to race and privilege. Finally, the text

was analyzed within its intertextual and historical context,

linking its themes to the lived realities of apartheid.

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Ethical Considerations

In conducting the study on racism as reflected in Nadine

Gordimer’s Once Upon a Time using Critical Race Theory (CRT),

ethical considerations are paramount. The research addresses

sensitive topics, including apartheid and systemic oppression,

requiring careful attention to the dignity, accuracy, and social

impact of the analysis. Below are key ethical considerations

guiding the study:

1. Sensitivity to Context and Subject Matter

The intent of this study is to critically examine how racism

and systemic oppression are represented in Once Upon a Time,

while maintaining respect for the historical and cultural weight

of apartheid. Racism, a deeply rooted social issue, necessitates

a sensitive and nuanced approach to avoid trivializing the lived

experiences of those affected by it. Researchers must strive to

present their analysis with integrity, avoiding any form of

sensationalism. By framing apartheid as a system of

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institutionalized oppression, the study will contextualize

Gordimer’s critique without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

2. Respect for Diverse Perspectives

The study recognizes the multiplicity of voices and

experiences represented in the text and its broader historical

context. Gordimer, a white South African, used her literary

platform to critique apartheid, which requires a balanced

approach that acknowledges her positionality while also centering

the experiences of those who lived under apartheid's systemic

oppression. Highlighting counter-narratives within the story

aligns with CRT’s principle of amplifying marginalized voices.

This ensures that the analysis goes beyond a surface-level

reading and engages with the deeper social implications of the

text.

3. Accuracy in Applying Critical Race Theory

The intent of using CRT is to illuminate the systemic nature

of racism depicted in Gordimer’s work. It is essential to apply

CRT principles accurately, ensuring that its key concepts—such as

structural racism, intersectionality, and counter-storytelling—

are neither misrepresented nor used in a reductive manner. This

requires a thorough grounding in CRT scholarship and careful

citation of foundational works. By doing so, the research

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contributes to both literary analysis and the broader discourse

on racial justice.

4. Academic Integrity

Transparency and honesty are critical to the research

process. The study will rigorously cite all sources, including

literary criticism, CRT texts, and historical analyses of

apartheid, adhering to APA 6th edition standards. Proper

attribution ensures that the work builds on existing scholarship

while avoiding plagiarism. Moreover, engaging with a wide range

of perspectives will provide a more balanced and comprehensive

analysis.

5. Reflexivity and Researcher Bias

It is important for researchers to acknowledge their own

positionality and potential biases when analyzing themes of race

and racism. Reflexivity involves critically reflecting on how the

researcher’s background, experiences, and assumptions may

influence their interpretations. This awareness helps prevent the

imposition of personal biases onto the text and fosters a more

authentic engagement with Gordimer’s work.

6. Cultural Sensitivity

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 The themes of fear, division, and systemic racism in Once

Upon a Time must be approached with cultural and historical

sensitivity. Recognizing the traumatic legacy of apartheid, the

study will handle the text’s content with care, ensuring that it

does not exploit or trivialize the experiences of those affected

by racial oppression. This includes avoiding overly modern

interpretations that might overshadow the historical realities

depicted in the story.

7. Accessibility and Social Impact

The intent of this research extends beyond literary

analysis; it seeks to contribute meaningfully to conversations

about systemic racism and its representations in literature. As

such, the findings should be communicated in an accessible

manner, avoiding academic jargon that may alienate broader

audiences. Additionally, the research should aim to provoke

thoughtful dialogue and raise awareness about the ongoing impact

of systemic racism.

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