Petik.net - Oroonoko is a novel by Aphra Behn, published in 1688. It tells the story of a noble African prince who is enslaved and taken to Suriname, a British colony in South America. There, he falls in love with a beautiful slave girl, Imoinda, and leads a revolt against the brutal plantation owners. Oroonoko is a remarkable work of literature, as it is one of the first novels in English, one of the first works by a female writer, and one of the first works to portray Africans in a sympathetic and humanizing way. In this article, we will explore the themes, characters, and historical context of Oroonoko, and analyze why it is still relevant and influential today.
Who was Aphra Behn?
Aphra Behn was a remarkable woman who lived in the 17th century. She was a playwright, poet, translator, essayist, and spy. She is often considered the first professional female writer in English literature. She wrote Oroonoko based on her own experiences in Suriname, where she had traveled as a spy for King Charles II. She witnessed the horrors of slavery and the oppression of the native people. She also claimed to have met and befriended Oroonoko himself, although some scholars doubt the authenticity of her account.
How is Oroonoko relevant today?
Oroonoko is a novel that still resonates with modern readers, as it raises important questions and issues that are relevant today. For example:
- How do we define and respect human rights and dignity?
- How do we confront and resist oppression and injustice?
- How do we deal with the legacy and impact of slavery and colonialism?
- How do we celebrate and appreciate cultural diversity and difference?
- How do we balance and reconcile love and duty, freedom and loyalty, reason and passion?
Oroonoko is a novel that invites us to reflect on our own values and beliefs, and to empathize with the experiences and perspectives of others. It is a novel that inspires us to be more compassionate, courageous, and critical.
Why is Oroonoko important?
Oroonoko is a groundbreaking novel for several reasons. First, it challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that Europeans had about Africans at the time. Oroonoko is not a savage or a brute, but a noble, educated, and heroic figure. He speaks several languages, knows Latin and French, and has a refined taste in art and music. He is also a loyal and faithful lover, who respects and honors Imoinda. Behn portrays Oroonoko as a victim of injustice and cruelty, not as an inferior or a threat.
Second, Oroonoko is a powerful critique of slavery and colonialism. Behn exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the British colonizers, who claim to be civilized and Christian, but who treat the slaves and the natives with brutality and contempt. She also shows the devastating effects of slavery on the human spirit, as Oroonoko and Imoinda lose their freedom, dignity, and identity. Behn does not shy away from depicting the violence and suffering that the slaves endure, such as whipping, branding, mutilation, and execution.
Third, Oroonoko is a compelling and moving story that appeals to the emotions and the imagination of the reader. Behn uses vivid and colorful language to describe the exotic and beautiful scenery of Suriname, the thrilling and dramatic events of the plot, and the intense and passionate feelings of the characters. She also uses humor, irony, and satire to mock the follies and vices of the colonizers. She creates a contrast between the innocence and simplicity of the natural world and the greed and complexity of the civilized world.
The Life and Times of Aphra Behn
Aphra Behn was born around 1640, during the turbulent period of the English Civil War. She was a woman of mystery, as little is known about her early life, family, and education. She claimed to have visited Suriname in the 1660s, where she met and befriended Oroonoko, the inspiration for her novel. However, some scholars doubt the authenticity of her account, and suggest that she based her story on other sources, such as travel narratives and oral histories1
Behn was a prolific and versatile writer, who wrote plays, poems, essays, translations, and fiction. She was also a spy for King Charles II, who sent her to Antwerp to gather intelligence on the Dutch during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. However, she was not paid for her services, and returned to England in debt and disgrace2
Behn was one of the first women to earn a living by writing, and faced many challenges and prejudices in the male-dominated literary world. She was often criticized for her bold and scandalous themes, such as sexuality, slavery, and colonialism. She was also accused of plagiarism, immorality, and treason. Despite these attacks, she defended her right to write and express her opinions, and gained the respect and admiration of many readers and writers, especially women. She died in 1689, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, with the epitaph: “Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be / Defence enough against Mortality.” 3
The Plot and Characters of Oroonoko
Oroonoko is narrated by an unnamed female narrator, who claims to have witnessed the events of the story in Suriname. She introduces the main character, Oroonoko, as the grandson of the king of Coramantien, a powerful African nation that participates in the slave trade. Oroonoko is a brave and handsome prince, who is admired for his intelligence, courage, and virtue. He is also a skilled warrior and general, who leads his army to victory against their enemies.
Oroonoko falls in love with Imoinda, the daughter of his foster father, who died saving his life in battle. They exchange vows and consummate their marriage, but their happiness is short-lived, as the king, who is Oroonoko’s grandfather, also desires Imoinda. He sends her the royal veil, a symbol of his intention to make her his concubine. Imoinda is forced to obey, and is taken to the king’s harem, where she resists his advances.
Oroonoko is devastated by the loss of his wife, and tries to see her in secret. He manages to sneak into the harem with the help of his friend Aboan, and reunites with Imoinda. They plan to escape, but are betrayed by one of the king’s wives, who informs him of their affair. The king is furious, and sells Oroonoko and Imoinda to a British slave trader, who takes them to Suriname.
In Suriname, Oroonoko and Imoinda are separated and sold to different plantations. Oroonoko is bought by a kind and fair man, named Trefry, who recognizes his noble qualities and treats him well. Trefry also tells Oroonoko that Imoinda is alive, and that he has bought her for himself. Oroonoko is overjoyed, and begs Trefry to let him see her. Trefry agrees, and arranges a meeting between the lovers.
Oroonoko and Imoinda are reunited, and Trefry gives them a cabin to live in. They resume their marriage, and Imoinda becomes pregnant. However, their happiness is again threatened, as the governor of Suriname, a cruel and greedy man named Byam, decides to take Imoinda for himself. He also fears that Oroonoko will incite a rebellion among the slaves, and plots to capture and punish him.
Oroonoko, aware of Byam’s intentions, decides to lead a revolt against the plantation owners. He gathers a group of loyal and brave slaves, and marches towards the town. However, he is deceived by an old slave, who promises to join him, but instead alerts Byam of his plan. Byam sends a troop of soldiers to stop Oroonoko, and a fierce battle ensues. Oroonoko and his men fight valiantly, but are outnumbered and overpowered. Oroonoko is wounded and captured, along with some of his followers.
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.
Another theme of Oroonoko is the tragedy of slavery, and the injustice and inhumanity of the slave trade. The novel exposes the horrors and sufferings of the slaves, who are stripped of their freedom, dignity, and identity. It also shows the psychological and emotional effects of slavery, such as despair, anger, and rebellion. The novel sympathizes with the slaves, and condemns the slave owners, who profit from their misery. The novel also criticizes the role of the African kings, who collaborate with the Europeans, and sell their own people into slavery. The novel argues that slavery is a crime against humanity, and a violation of the natural rights and laws of God.
A third theme of Oroonoko is the power and beauty of love, and the sacrifice and loyalty of the lovers. The novel depicts Oroonoko and Imoinda as a perfect and ideal couple, who share a deep and passionate love. They are faithful and devoted to each other, and overcome many obstacles and dangers to be together. They also choose to die together, rather than live apart or in bondage. Their love is contrasted with the lust and infidelity of the king and Byam, who covet Imoinda, and try to force her to their will. The novel celebrates the love of Oroonoko and Imoinda, and elevates it to a heroic and sublime level.