Out of Africa Change Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

The hills from the farm changed their character many times in the course of the day, and sometimes looked quite close, and at other times very far away. In the evening, when it was getting dark, it would first look, as you gazed at them, as if in the sky a thin silver line was drawn all along the silhouette of the dark mountain; then, as night fell, the four peaks seemed to be flattened and smoothened out, as if the mountain was stretching and spreading itself. (1.1.6)

Changes that are caused by humans are pretty much looked down upon by the Baroness and her pals. But natural changes, like the way that the mountains morph all day long, are, in Blixen's opinion, just another example of Africa's awesomeness.

Quote #2

The women made Farah's house home-like in the manner of a nomadic people, who may have to break their tents at any time, with many rugs and embroidered covers hung on the walls. (3.3.9)

The Somalis used to be nomadic, even though they now live in a permanent house on the farm. That old pattern of constant change is hard to shake, and the Baroness can see it in the way they live, which is always on the alert, ready for a quick change, even if it isn't coming.

Quote #3

Sometimes visitors from Europe drifted into the farm like wrecked timber into still waters, turned and rotated, till in the end they were washed out again, or dissolved and sank. (3.4.1)

The farm is a constant in the Baroness' life and that of her friends', and really not much changes on it as far as the day-to-day life. The only thing that does change is the people who come through, in this simile compared to a wrecked ship.