Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

The African landscape is a multifaceted motif, simultaneously representing a sense of home and danger, in light of the author’s paradoxical relationship with the continent. Fuller paints a vivid picture of Africa’s beauty, using sensory details to evoke a sense of vastness and vibrancy. She describes the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa, emphasizing its allure and the deep emotional connection she feels toward it. Despite the constant moves within Africa, the continent itself becomes a constant, a source of comfort and familiarity. This portrayal evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as Africa becomes synonymous with “home” in a broader, more abstract sense.

However, alongside its portrayal as a place of comfort and familiarity, the African landscape also symbolizes danger and adversity for the Fuller family. Fuller depicts the harshness and unpredictability of the environment, highlighting the challenges they face in navigating its rugged terrain and hostile conditions. From the relentless heat to the threat of wildlife, the landscape serves as a constant reminder of the harsh realities of life in war-torn Africa.

Fuller’s construction of the African landscape as a motif in her memoir encapsulates the dichotomy of home and danger, weaving together themes of nostalgia, belonging, and adversity.