Essay Questions

How does the author develop the theme of respect in the novel Out of Africa?

The narrator in this novel is a Danish legal landowner in Kenya, and she owns thousands of acres in Ngong Hills. Consequently, the narrator is powerful, and she has the authority to do anything on her farm, including expelling anyone who tries to trespass on the property. However, the reader notes that the narrator is different because she respects and values natives. The narrator has allowed natives to live on her expansive farm, and she respects their culture. In contrast to other white settlers who enslave the natives, the narrator requests the natives living on her farm to work for her at will and on specific days of the year. The locals are happy because whenever they work for the narrator, they know that they are being appreciative.

What is the novel's symbolic meaning of the domesticated deer called Lulu?

The domesticated deer called Lulu symbolizes the narrator's connection with the landscape. The narrator's massive farm in Ngong Hills is in unity with animals, the natives, and the natural vegetation. A small portion of the farm is used to grow coffee, but the large part is a natural forest that hosts several wild animals. The locals who live harmoniously with the narrator occupy the rest of the farm. The narrator loves the locals dearly, and to illustrate her affection, she has built a school and a health facility for them. Consequently, the deer that lives with the narrator in her house is an important symbol in the novel because it signifies love, unity, and harmony between the farm and the surrounding landscape.

Why is the narrator saying that Africa is superior to European countries?

The Danish narrator in this novel has lived in Africa most of her life. The narrator lives in Ngong Hills, on the outskirts of Nairobi City, Kenya. The narrator is in love with nature, and she realizes that Africa is in its pure form. For instance, the narrator notes that modernization has not influenced the African culture because the natives' primary activity is hunting and farming. In addition, the local people are friendly and spend most of their time socializing, unlike in Europe, where everyone is busy working. For the narrator, Africa is a true paradise because people live as God intended during his creation.