Book One Tanne, Chapters 5-8: Three Sisters; The Road to Katholm; Aunt Bess; Art and Life Summary and Analysis

Summary

During her childhood, Dinesen spent most of her time with her two sisters, Ellen and Inger. They got along well enough, and as with most siblings, there were squabbles. However, no damaging sibling rivalry developed. The sisters remained agreeable into adulthood, but Ellen fell ill and died at an early age. From then on the sisters drifted apart. The biographer observed that Isak Dinesen appeared to be the thinking sister in the photographs from childhood, while the other two seemed dim and dull by comparison.

In 1898 the Dinesen house burned down, and the family moved abroad while it was being rebuilt. In 1900 Isak Dinesen determined to spend time at Katholm...