“There is a particular happiness in giving a man whom you like very much, good food that you have cooked yourself.”
The Narrator reflects on the delight and fulfillment she felt when preparing a meal for someone she loves. The context of the remark emphasizes the importance of sharing meals with friends and distinguished folks as Dinesen warmly recalls the different guests who had dined with her on her farm in colonial Kenya. This particular happiness is not just about the quality of the food but more about the act of giving and nurturing through meal preparation. Dinesen treasures the opportunity to cook for her close friend, Mr. Charles Bulpett who was an avid traveler and adventurer. Through this act of culinary creation, Dinesen finds a way to express her affection and appreciation for her guests, thereby enriching their dining experience and fostering a sense of warmth and camaraderie.
“There are things which cannot be carried through even with the good will of everybody concerned”
This quote captures the underlying tension and complication of the situation. The scene shows a gathering of the Masai and Kikuyu tribes for a dance where the atmosphere is initially friendly and both groups are behaving well towards each other. However, as the drumming becomes more intense, passions rise and a clash between the tribes occurs, resulting in injuries and chaos. The quote highlights the fact that, despite everyone's best intentions, certain circumstances can nonetheless spin out of control, resulting in unanticipated results. It demonstrates how, even with the best intentions, cultural differences, historical grievances, and other underlying causes can lead to conflicts that are difficult to contain. The quote provides a glimpse into the complexities of tribal relations and the potential for volatility despite attempts to maintain harmony.
“It is when one begins to lose the consciousness of freedom, and when the idea of necessity enters the world at all, when there is any hurry or strain anywhere, a letter to be written or a train to catch, when you have got to work, to make the horses of the dream gallop, or to make the rifles go off, that the dream is declining, and turning into the nightmare, which belongs to the poorest and most vulgar class of dreams.”
Dinesen delves into the delicate nature of dreams and their change from joyful freedom to a perilous nightmare. The remark implies that dreams are most beautiful and ecstatic when the dreamer is entirely absorbed in a sensation of infinite freedom similar to how an artist creates without limitation. However, as the dreamer loses this sense of freedom and the concept of necessity seeps into the dream, the magical essence fades. External pressures such as chores to be accomplished or responsibilities to meet, break the dream's perfect flow, resulting in a loss in its beauty. The quote is a reminder of the delicate balance required to maintain the magic of dreams and the importance of preserving their intrinsic liberty and spontaneity. It also touches on the concept of the subconscious mind and the impact of external stressors on the dreaming experience, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the duality between dreams and reality.
“A visitor is a friend, he brings news, good or bad, which is bread to the hungry minds in lonely places. A real friend who comes to the house is a heavenly messenger, who brings the panis angelorum.”
The author highlights the importance of visitors in the context of living on a farm in a pioneer country. Visitors are viewed as friends rather than passing acquaintances since they provide much-needed connection and contact to persons living in remote and secluded areas. The analogy of news, whether good or bad being like bread to hungry brains emphasizes the emotional and intellectual hunger felt by settlers in remote areas who crave information and updates from the outside world. Furthermore, the phrase "panis angelorum" which translates to "bread of angels" elevates the function of a genuine friend who visits to that of a divine messenger. The presence of such a friend brings a sense of comfort, joy, and divine grace akin to the nourishment of angels.
