1.2 General review of the story and subjects of the novel
In 1959, our 73-year-old author came to America for the first and the only time to deliver her speech in American literature study conference, on which she summarized her whole life experience. She said: “Everyone among us must feel that our lives, is so unique, rich and wonderful.”
When analyzing the inclinations of her writing of the book and her depiction of nature, animal, native inhabitants and the author’s own experience, the author can not but feel proud of her thoughts and insights into the meaning of life, the independence of a woman and her pursuit of the subject consciousness over the main line penetrating into the bottom of human heart and survival in her words. Dinesen indeed does well in telling stories to express meanings of life and the integrity of human survival and human value as the superior creatures, which drives us to think more after reading. Dinesen’s letters, sent to her family, demonstrate her culture and her intimate involvement with art, literature, and ideas—particularly social thoughts about the role of women in that land. Another quotation is suitable to define her significance of writing: “I am just a messenger sent from a far journey to tell people that hope still exists in the world.” Marian Ismesen from Karen Blixen Museum once mentioned:” the integrity of survival, and that how should our traces be left behind our lives, remains the major subjects of Dinesen.” Indeed, these ideas were likely to remain the way for Dinesen until the end of her life.
2. Karen Blixen—the author of Out of Africa 1
2.1 Isak Dinesen, the pseudonym of Karen Blixen, and her writing background
Isak Dinesen, a pseudonym to Karen Blixen (1885-1962), is famous for her memoir, Out of Africa, which brings her everlasting international prestige, and for several works of fiction, including Seven Gothic Tales (1934), Winter's Tales (1942), the Angelic Avengers (1944) and the Last Stories(1957). A 2007 poll of opinion in her native Denmark lists Karen Blixen as one of the most representative personalities in Danish literary history. She wrote in both English and Danish after living on a coffee farm in Kenya from 1914 to 1931 and died in 1962.
Though born into a noble family, Dinesen had tasted a lifelong frustration and misfortune. It’s right in saying that she began thinking about life at an early age. When she was ten, her father, a politician and writer hang himself due to bad days in politics and the infection of syphilis. She spent her stormy childhood with her mother. In 1914, she began the unfortunate marriage with her cousin Bror Blixen, who turned to be a lustful man. Soon afterwards, from her husband she was communicated with syphilis, the disease that was a shame to mention and remained anguish to her for a long time. It may result in her introspecting about destiny and humanism, exploring the meaning of life, especially experiences depicted in this book.毕业论文http://www.751com.cn/
2.2 Criticism on Out of Africa
Austerity, freshness, fascination and fancy are the main feature of Dinesen’s works, which is similar to the style of the Epics and The Arabian Nights. The Chicago Tribune once commented that it may be the best book in terms of describing Africa so far. John Dawenbo, an English critic spoke highly of her: “Few people in our era can write as little and wonderful as her.” Hemingway used to emphasize the ceremony of Nobel prize: “I would be more grateful if the beautiful Isak Dinesen would have accepted this honour.” The Atlantic monthly magazine regarded the author as one of the unique artists in modern age. While the woman writer Eudora Welty declared that the book provided an access to the special mind of Dinesen, who also was described as an imaginative and intelligent writer.