A. Your question speaks to the myths that
have grown up around Karen Blixen. When one examines her Letters from
Africa, it is clear that Karen Blixen was relieved to leave Africa for
Denmark. There was never any question of her being buried in Africa.
She is buried at Rungstedlund under a spreading beech tree--where she
has become, as she seems to have intended--part of the legendary
history of Denmark. Her grave lies beside a Bronze Age (c. 1500 BCE) burial mound
("Ewald's Hill"). It is here that she requested to be buried--not in
Africa.
Karen Blixen's love of "Africa" was symbolic of her love for an era and
a series of events. "Africa" was her ideal of settling a new land,
living the pastoral life, delivering the natives from inequities, and
associating with heroic individuals. The real Africa was not what she
wanted or sought. Africa became for her simply a lost ideal--the Garden
of Paradise never more to be entered.
Copyright © 2006 by Linda
Donelson. All rights reserved. During the past quarter century, Linda Donelson has been the only author writing about Karen Blixen for an international audience. Her biography, Out of Isak Dinesen, was the Number One Best-Selling Scandinavian / or related title for five years at Amazon.com.
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Supported misspellings: karen blixon, karin, isaac, isak dineson, isak denison, dinison, dinisen, denesen, coolsong, donaldson
| Coulsong