Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 91 views

    Oroonoko

    Uploaded by

    Govind pathak
    The document provides a summary and analysis of Aphra Behn's 1688 novel "Oroonoko". It describes how the novel tells the story of the titular character Oroonoko, a Coramantien prince who is tricked into slavery. As a slave in Surinam, Oroonoko stands out for his strength, intelligence and noble character. He falls in love with another slave, Imoinda. Fearing their child will be born into slavery, Oroonoko leads a failed slave revolt and is captured. In a final act of defiance against their fate, Oroonoko kills Imoinda and their baby before being tortured and killed by the slaveholders. While the

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Oroonoko

    Uploaded by

    Govind pathak
    91 views2 pages
    The document provides a summary and analysis of Aphra Behn's 1688 novel "Oroonoko". It describes how the novel tells the story of the titular character Oroonoko, a Coramantien prince who is tricked into slavery. As a slave in Surinam, Oroonoko stands out for his strength, intelligence and noble character. He falls in love with another slave, Imoinda. Fearing their child will be born into slavery, Oroonoko leads a failed slave revolt and is captured. In a final act of defiance against their fate, Oroonoko kills Imoinda and their baby before being tortured and killed by the slaveholders. While the

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document provides a summary and analysis of Aphra Behn's 1688 novel "Oroonoko". It describes how the novel tells the story of the titular character Oroonoko, a Coramantien prince who is tricked into slavery. As a slave in Surinam, Oroonoko stands out for his strength, intelligence and noble character. He falls in love with another slave, Imoinda. Fearing their child will be born into slavery, Oroonoko leads a failed slave revolt and is captured. In a final act of defiance against their fate, Oroonoko kills Imoinda and their baby before being tortured and killed by the slaveholders. While the

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    91 views2 pages

    Oroonoko

    Uploaded by

    Govind pathak
    The document provides a summary and analysis of Aphra Behn's 1688 novel "Oroonoko". It describes how the novel tells the story of the titular character Oroonoko, a Coramantien prince who is tricked into slavery. As a slave in Surinam, Oroonoko stands out for his strength, intelligence and noble character. He falls in love with another slave, Imoinda. Fearing their child will be born into slavery, Oroonoko leads a failed slave revolt and is captured. In a final act of defiance against their fate, Oroonoko kills Imoinda and their baby before being tortured and killed by the slaveholders. While the

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    10/05/2023

    OROONOKO

    1. ANALYSIS

     Written in 1688 for an English audience, Oroonoko was the first instance which


    an English audience was known to sympathize with slaves. By inserting herself as
    a participant narrator to describe her accounts of the titular character, Behn
    centers her story as a tragedy of an honorable and beloved prince.
     Oroonoko is described as a strong warrior who stands out from the other slaves
    and ''deserves'' his freedom. Behn focuses on the virtue and strength of
    Oroonoko as a warrior, painting him as a hero. Although the man who bought
    Oroonoko was enamored by him and wished for his freedom, he did nothing to
    grant it, furthering his role in the institution of slavery.
     Although Oroonoko is painted as a heroic figure, his focus on honor leads to his
    downfall. He continues to trust untrustworthy figures rather than thinking
    logically.
     The love of his family strengthens Oroonoko and is the reason why he leads a
    slave revolt. However, the revolt ended in many slaves being punished, the
    ''honorable'' murder of Imoinda, and his own torturous death.
     Although this novel is known for its attempt to get a European audience to
    sympathize with slaves, Behn promotes good character in men to be treated
    honorably. Oroonoko stood out because he had honorable traits, which led to
    him being liked by his white slaveholders. Though Oroonoko helped sympathize
    the characters, Behn's focus on Oroonoko's honorable traits enforces a limited
    view of slavery.

    2. SUMMARY

     Oroonoko is introduced as an attractive and noble warrior, which is greatly


    emphasized. As the last descendent of the King of Coramantien, he is trained
    away from his homeland under a strong militant. When he turns seventeen he
    becomes general and returns home, where he meets Imoinda, who is
    comparable in beauty and virtue. The two immediately fall in love.
     When the King hears of the beauty of Imoinda, he steals her as a concubine,
    despite knowing of her relationship with his grandson, Oroonoko. Upset with her
    loyalty to Oroonoko, the King sells her into slavery. The King lies to Oroonoko
    and tells him that he killed Imoinda. He knew that slavery was worse than death
    and was afraid of the consequences of his actions.
     While selling captives as slaves to the British, Oroonoko and his friends are
    invited to view the ship. Not knowing this is a trick, they are taken captive as well
    to be enslaved. The captain continues to lie to Oroonoko, promising his freedom,
    only to sell him in Surinam. Oroonoko is sold to Mr. Trefry, who promises his
    eventual freedom and is given the slave name, Caesar.
     After hearing of Oroonoko's story, he sympathizes and befriends him. Mr. Trefry
    sees Oroonoko's beauty, intellect, and sense of nobility, allowing him to keep his
    time at the plantation house away from the other slaves. One day, while walking
    the grounds, he sees Imoinda, who has been named Clemene by her
    slaveholders. The two immediately rekindle their love and become pregnant.
     The couple becomes fearful of their child being born as a slave, especially as they
    feel that Oroonoko's status as a non-working, soon-to-be slave is in jeopardy
    with the arrival of the governor. Oroonoko attempts to distract the governor. On
    one of their trips, Oroonoko kills two tigers with his bare hands, showing his
    strength and bravery. While the slaveholders are distracted with these events,
    Oroonoko leads a slave revolt with other plantations.
     Byam, the deputy-governor, finds and negotiates with Oroonoko, again making
    large promises. After promising the freedom of Oroonoko, Imoinda, and their
    baby, Byam brutally and graphically whips Oroonoko. This act makes Oroonoko
    finally realize that the slaveholders will never tell the truth, and his family will
    always be captives.
     As a personal revolt against their impending futures in slavery, Oroonoko
    promises Imoinda that he will kill her and their baby, seek revenge, and then kill
    himself, so that they can finally be free. Imoinda expresses her gratitude and he
    kills her.

    Grief stricken, Oroonoko is too weak to seek revenge. Refusing to leave his wife's body,
    Byam and his friends find Oroonoko. After finding the courage to stand up and face
    them, the men kill and dismember him.

    You might also like