Blog 19: Out of Africa / Isak Dinesen

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Jordan Miles

 Blog 19: Out of Africa / Isak Dinesen

Out of Africa is Isak Dinesen's memoir of her time in Africa as a woman who created and ran a coffee plantation and its impact on the rest of her life. During her time in Africa, she encountered many people and experiences that have shaped her life. Africa allowed her to find herself and find her passion for writing and literature. As a white woman living in Africa and experiencing a divorce during these times, Dinesen truly had to put herself out there to get by in such a foreign, mysterious place. I think through her writing she draws a distinction between the differences between Africans and westerners. Particularly at the end in the last few paragraphs.    For example, she says, "A white man who wanted to say a pretty thing to you would write: "I can never forget you. The African says: we do not think of you, that you can ever forget us." It is interesting how the white man uses "I" and the African would use "we." The white man uses an individual approach, expressing his personal feelings and emotions, while the African emphasizes the collective feeling of the community. I think her appreciation of the cultures helped shape her as a person and writer. She highlights the importance of respect and empathy when encountering new things in life. It really shows how she is able to adapt to new environments and challenges as she felt passion and was inclined to share her experiences and story. 

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