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1. When and where was Isak Dinesen born and by what other names was she known?

Isak Dinesen was born on April 17, 1885 in Denmark. Her given name was Karen Christenze Dinesen, and her nickname was Tanne. Isak Dinesen is one of her pen names. She is also known as Karen von Blixen-Finecke, or simply Karen Blixen.

2. What was Dinesen's family background,and why was she drawn more to her father's family?

Her mother came from a family of self-made millionaires, while her father came from a family of country people related to the Danish aristocracy. Dinesen was attracted to her father's family because they seemed more down-to-earth than the stilted people in her mother's family.

3. How did Dinesen's childhood influence her writing, and what important theme would emerge?

Isak Dinesen's childhood experiences influenced her later literary works. A central theme had to do with the differences between the wealthy upper middle class and the old aristocratic families. Monarchies were giving way to various forms of democracies shortly before Dinesen was born. Her mother's family represented the wealthy middle class, and her father personified the adventure-seeking aristocrats.

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