Compare Contrast

The stories Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa and Self-Discovery and the Danish Way of Life are easily comparable. The narrators of both stories write about a time in which they are experiencing a different culture. They also write about their yearnings for self-discovery through exotic experiences. The viewpoints, however, of each writer are at opposite ends of the spectrum. In Self-Discovery and the Danish Way of Life, the narrator writes about his international experiences while studying abroad in Denmark. On the other hand, in Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa, the narrator never actually visits Africa. Instead, he figuratively visits the continent through the experiences of another person. These stories may appear to be similar because of the comparable aspirations of the narrators. However, they are also different with respect the narrators’ unique viewpoints on life.

When telling their story, the narrators clearly express their aspirations of living an adventurous life. They both view international travel as a vessel for self-discovery and meaningful memories. For example, in Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa, David Sedaris expresses his desires for life-long memories and international travel when he writes, “They weren’t rich, but what Hugh and his family lacked financially they more than made up for with the sort of exoticism that works wonders at cocktail parties, leading always to the remark, ‘that sounds fascinating’.” According to this passage, Sedaris seems to believe that money is less important than experiences and memories themselves. One is able to infer that he yearns for a life that is filled with adventures. He wants to have the ability to tell interesti...

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...ad he been acquainted to this word, he may have placed more value in his family, friends, and home. He may have come to enjoy the small things in life, instead of complaining about his lack of adventure. Perhaps Hugh, the character in which Sedaris aspired to be like, lived a life of excitement because he understood hygge, or a word similar to it.

The stories Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa and Self-Discovery and the Danish Way of Life may appear to be similar because of the comparable aspirations of the narrators. However, they are also different with respect the narrators’ unique viewpoints on life. In their stories, the authors express their wants and desires of self-discovery through traveling abroad. Hopefully, in the near future, everyone will have the ability to experience what these two people have gone through. It can be life changing.