How is the colonial idea of Africa (as unquestionably a place to be ruled over by Europeans) reflected in the film Out of Africa? Focus on three examples from the film that illustrate your point while incorporating relevant insights from both Ngugi and Stauder easy
The colonial idea of Africa is reflected in the film Out of Africa, by the way the Africans are forced to learn English, how the Maasai tribe’s home is always on the verge of being taken from them, and the way Africans are constantly seen as props to emphasize the role of the white character. The colonization of Africa is never questioned throughout the movie as it is something assumed and expected, but never challenged. It is accepted as something good because it benefits the white …show more content…
Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Africa with the hopes of growing a prosperous farm, never tries learning the tribe 's native tongue relying on a translator to communicate her needs. This shows that because Africans are automatically inferior, learning their language is a waste of time. Even though both races live harmoniously together, it is automatically understood that the white characters way of living is not only better, but the correct way, and therefore, their language is worth learning (410). Yet, because of the inequality between the two races, learning the English language never allows Africans to hold a “high[ly] administrative” (415) position, inhibiting them from reaching their full potential, but more importantly, never giving them the opportunity to outsmart a white individual. For example, even though Karen’s cook, Kamate, learns English and how to cook, he can’t go to Denmark because it is assumed he will not like it there as he is still seen as inadaptive and unqualified. With the idea of colonialism, only foreigners can come to Africa and not vice-versa, making it easier for them to conquer and colonize …show more content…
Even though their home was originally theirs, the European conquest allows them to shift Africans from land to land, similar to an animal herd, to whatever benefits them and create their profit (133). The Great White Hunter is able to enjoy the land going hunting and seeing the wondering locations that surround Africa, while the African is working away in the fields making their money (133). The colonial idea is constantly seen as Karen repeatedly saves them from being relocated from their village as the other white character do not care where they place Africans as long as it maximizes their profit. This idea allows Africans to be treated like animals and constantly ignored as long as it benefits the white
The colonial idea of Africa is reflected in the film Out of Africa, by the way the Africans are forced to learn English, how the Maasai tribe’s home is always on the verge of being taken from them, and the way Africans are constantly seen as props to emphasize the role of the white character. The colonization of Africa is never questioned throughout the movie as it is something assumed and expected, but never challenged. It is accepted as something good because it benefits the white …show more content…
Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Africa with the hopes of growing a prosperous farm, never tries learning the tribe 's native tongue relying on a translator to communicate her needs. This shows that because Africans are automatically inferior, learning their language is a waste of time. Even though both races live harmoniously together, it is automatically understood that the white characters way of living is not only better, but the correct way, and therefore, their language is worth learning (410). Yet, because of the inequality between the two races, learning the English language never allows Africans to hold a “high[ly] administrative” (415) position, inhibiting them from reaching their full potential, but more importantly, never giving them the opportunity to outsmart a white individual. For example, even though Karen’s cook, Kamate, learns English and how to cook, he can’t go to Denmark because it is assumed he will not like it there as he is still seen as inadaptive and unqualified. With the idea of colonialism, only foreigners can come to Africa and not vice-versa, making it easier for them to conquer and colonize …show more content…
Even though their home was originally theirs, the European conquest allows them to shift Africans from land to land, similar to an animal herd, to whatever benefits them and create their profit (133). The Great White Hunter is able to enjoy the land going hunting and seeing the wondering locations that surround Africa, while the African is working away in the fields making their money (133). The colonial idea is constantly seen as Karen repeatedly saves them from being relocated from their village as the other white character do not care where they place Africans as long as it maximizes their profit. This idea allows Africans to be treated like animals and constantly ignored as long as it benefits the white