Byam orders Oroonoko to be whipped and tortured, as an example to the other slaves. Oroonoko endures the pain with dignity and courage, and refuses to beg for mercy. He also curses Byam and his men, and warns them of his revenge. He manages to escape from his captors, and returns to his cabin, where he finds Imoinda. He tells her of his plan to kill Byam and his men, and then to kill themselves, rather than live as slaves. Imoinda agrees, and asks Oroonoko to kill her first, as she does not want to be taken by Byam. Oroonoko reluctantly complies, and slits her throat. He then kisses her dead body, and prepares to kill himself.
However, before he can do so, he is surrounded by Byam and his men, who have followed him. They prevent him from killing himself, and drag him to a public place, where they mutilate and dismember him, while he is still alive. Oroonoko dies a slow and agonizing death, but does not utter a word or a groan. His body parts are then displayed around the colony, as a warning to the other slaves. The narrator laments his fate, and praises his heroism and virtue.
The Themes and Analysis of Oroonoko
Oroonoko is a complex and rich novel, that explores various themes, such as love, honor, slavery, colonialism, race, gender, and identity. It is also a novel that challenges and contradicts many of the stereotypes and prejudices of its time, and presents a nuanced and critical perspective on the issues it addresses.
One of the main themes of Oroonoko is the contrast between the civilized and the barbaric, and the question of who is truly civilized and who is truly barbaric. The novel portrays Oroonoko as a noble and refined prince, who possesses all the qualities of a civilized and enlightened person. He is educated, cultured, rational, moral, and generous. He is also a loyal and loving husband, who respects and honors his wife. He is contrasted with the Europeans, who are depicted as cruel, greedy, hypocritical, and corrupt. They exploit and oppress the Africans, and treat them as subhuman. They also betray and deceive Oroonoko, and torture and kill him in a barbaric manner. The novel suggests that civilization is not a matter of race or geography, but of character and behavior.
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