Analyzing Isak Dinesen from Out of Africa
-----Exploring the meaning of life
ABSTRACT
The famous novel of Out of Africa, written by Isak Dinesen, can perhaps be regarded as one of the distinguished autobiographical novels in the western literature in 19th century. It is not a book that favours readers with its stories and plots but enlighten others with the delicate prose connotation as well as the deep attachment to the land and people of Africa. So far as I know, Isak Dinesen was nominated with Nobel Prize twice. And this novel, condensed through the painstaking efforts of the author, has been adopted into a movie in 1986, which brought about an international reputation to the author of the novelist after winning six items of Oscar awards. Compared to the reputation she has won, the author’s personal experience is far more stimulating and intricate. With 17 years of life experience in Africa, Dinesen explored the meaning of life, thus establishing her particular consciousness of female subjectivity.
In an attempt to discuss what Dinesen has done as to exploring the meaning of life, the paper is aimed to analyze the writer through this book. My studies will include her background, her interior life when she arrived in Africa at first, and the process of mixing with nature and African black natives, etc. In addition, we have also analyzed her spirit to pursue freedom and her strong volition to make survival on the continent totally new to her with remembrance of the unfaithfulness of her husband, and the death of her lover. Though she has shown her indifference to fame and wealth as a writer, her pioneering spirit is still inspiring her readers to imitate and inherit the spiritual wealth she has left to us. Furthermore, it provides a broad thinking space for the people who live in some outermost frontier, and an authentic access to the unbelievable hardships that a woman can endure and choose a meaningful hard life as she has dedicated herself to from the prospective of a female. Besides, the novel also presents great enlightenment onto us through its though-going exploration of the fate and survival and value of the human beings.
Key words: Out of Africa Meaning of life Humanism Feminism Consciousness of Independence
Abstract I
Abstract（in Chinese） II
1. A brief introduction to the book 1
1.1 About the novel 1
1.2 General review of the story and subjects of the novel 1
2. Karen Blixen—the author of Out of Africa 1
2.1 Isak Dinesen, the pseudonym of Karen Blixen, and her writing background 1
2.2 Criticism on Out of Africa 2
3. About exploration—a brave pioneer in exploring Africa 2
3.1 At the beginning of exploration—entering Africa 2
3.2 The difficulty of exploration experienced by the author in Africa 3
3.2.1 Women and nature—a blend of nature 3
3.2.2 European settlersfriendship between colonists and aborigines 4
3.2.3 The author and the aborigines 5
3.2.3.1 Dinesen and Kamante (a native child) 5
3.2.3.2 Farah (a servant of Dinesen) and the author 5
3. 2.2.3 Best picture of 1985 unforgettable movie moment 6
3. 3 Fighting for fate 6
3.3.1 For pride 6
3.3.2 Regretlessness and perseverance in cherishing her love 7
4. Conclusion 7
References 9
Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………...10
