I traveled to Tanzania, Africa to retrace a portion of Ernest Hemingway’s 1933 safari that inspired some of his greatest works: two short stories, “The Short and Happy Life of Francis Macomber” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” as well as the nonfiction novel The Green Hills of Africa. I set off to try and figure out what the setting of Africa had to offer Hemingway, giving his writing a common theme within the works. (You will figure out the themes on your own as you read the stories.)
But the trip gave me so much more perspective about the stories than simply the theme. As I interacted with the people of Africa and enjoyed the wildlife and landscape the country had to offer, I picked up on the subtle hints of respect Hemingway conveyed in his writing that I would have otherwise overlooked had I not experienced Tanzania myself.
As we read the two short stories, “The Short and Happy Life of Francis Macomber” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” we will meet here on this blog and I will offer more of my experiences and how they helped me to understand the stories better. Until then, read through my new entries under “Wildlife” and “Masai People” and answer the questions I have at the end of the entries. Also, feel free to comment on anything I have discussed. Just because I don’t ask the question doesn’t mean your ideas aren't worthy of reading.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a great experience for having the adventure to go to africa. Find out the religion they practice to know how heming way had the same adventure as you did.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool you can have a chance to go to Africa; you can experience something new and exciting. By traveling to Africa you are following Hemingway’s steps and see where he gets his inspiration in his stories. Also, it’s cool that you can find out how the culture in Tanzania is and how they are different from America.
ReplyDeleteyou had a big experienced by fallowing Hemingway's steps and going to places where he inspired himself to write those marvelous stories that at the end gives us a peace of advice.
ReplyDeletethats a great experience to retrace the inspiration of Hemingway.
ReplyDeletethis must have been a great experience for you being able to follow a dream you had.you really show alot of kids and adults that you can do all thinks if you just apply yourself. i think its cool that you was able to take this perfect trip and learn so much
ReplyDeleteIt must of been an awesome experience to have traced some of Hemingway's adventures
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ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the story/book julie and julia when she wants to cook all the recipes in a year and a half or so. Its cool that you were that inspired by his story that you wanted to see what he saw and feel what he felt to get a better understanding and and hope that it will help your students as well
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to have have a good opportunity to go to Africa and experience the wildlife and culture it has to offer.
ReplyDeleteIts great how you had the chance of having an experience like this one. Seeing how people in Africa live and having them sharing their culture with you and your wife. its amazing how you can get to live personally what a book describes, and seeing with your own eyes what this character was trying to explain.
ReplyDeletethis seems like a real good experience to haave. maybe i'll let my beard grow and go to africa to, but serioulsy it looks cool.
ReplyDeletei think its cool that you got the chance to go to africa and got to experince all of this because not that many people get to do these kinds of things its usually a one lifetime experince
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