Aphra Behn’s narrative "Oroonoko or the Royal Slave" was published one year before her death in 1688 at a time when the Atlantic Slave Trade and African Slavery were in full blossom as a result of European Colonialism. The story is about the curious case of the gallant prince Oroonoko who got pulled into slavery and was deported to the British colony of Surinam in the 1660’s. Behn’s work combines different genres of texts such as the travel narrative, the romance but most importantly social criticism.
Although Oroonoko is regarded as a literary work by many scholars that has advanced and supported the cause for the abolition of slavery in Britain as well as in it’s colonies, it is in fact a non anti-slavery text. The author does not touch the pressing issue of slavery as such because she presents us with a rare and exceptional kind of slave. Nevertheless, the book clearly illustrates through the depiction of its hero the injustice, cruelty and arbitrariness of slavery that has been brought upon the African peoples by European Colonialism.
In this paper I will show Behn’s unusual presentation of a royal slave in order to criticize British Colonialism, first, by giving a brief overview on Transatlantic African slavery that is portrayed in early modern literature, second, by analyzing the depiction of slaves in Behn’s narrative with a special focus on Oroonoko the royal slave, and finally by illustrating Behn’s necessity for choosing a tragic hero, who could have never been protected from the depths of slavery by his royal status.
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2. Overview on the Transatlantic African slavery and its portray in early modern literature
3. Slavery in Oroonoko
3.1 Representation of slavery
3.2 Depiction of the royal slave
4. Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko: The tragic hero
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines Aphra Behn’s narrative Oroonoko to determine whether it functions as an anti-slavery or an anti-colonialist text. By analyzing historical contexts and the representation of the "royal slave," the study demonstrates that the work primarily critiques the excesses and illegal practices of British colonialism rather than the institution of slavery itself.
- The role of the British and the Triangular Trade in early modern literature
- The distinction between common slaves and the royal status of Oroonoko
- Behn’s use of the tragic hero figure to highlight colonial injustice
- The ideological contrast between "civilized" aristocracy and "barbarous" power abuse
- The limitations of the narrator’s critique regarding the institution of slavery
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Representation of slavery
When regarding Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko there is from the beginning an overall lack of the representation of slavery as the cruel and inhuman institution it truly was. The aspect of slavery is moreover romanticized in the love story of Oroonoko and Imoinda who are reunited as the slaves Caesar and Clemene at Parham plantation in Surinam. By analyzing some of the major scenes where slaves are depicted it will become visible that Behn’s story does not criticize common slavery but rather unrighteous enslavement of African aristocracy caused by the greediness of colonial society.
When Behn introduces the reader to colonial slavery in her narrative she describes the moment Imoinda is punished by the King of Coramantien for her betrayal and is sold as a common slave to the Europeans. Although, the author romanticizes this scene in showing the tragic separation of the lovers we learn that in the eyes of Africans this sort of slavery is “the greatest Revenge, and the most disgraceful of any, and to which they a thousand times prefer Death” (20). Soon afterwards we are introduced to a different kind of enslavement when Oroonoko has captured his enemy Jamoan, “a Man very Gallant, and of excellent Graces, and fine Parts” (22), on the battlefield who is not sold as a common slave to Europeans.
Summary of Chapters
1.Introduction: The introduction outlines the author's intention to analyze Behn's Oroonoko as a piece of social criticism rather than a strictly anti-slavery text, setting the stage for an examination of colonial dynamics.
2. Overview on the Transatlantic African slavery and its portray in early modern literature: This chapter provides historical context regarding the Triangular Trade and the role of British colonial expansion in shaping the slave economy.
3. Slavery in Oroonoko: This section investigates how Behn depicts slavery, noting that the text distinguishes between common enslaved people and the royal protagonist.
3.1 Representation of slavery: This sub-chapter argues that the narrative romanticizes the condition of slavery and avoids a direct moral judgment of the institution.
3.2 Depiction of the royal slave: This sub-chapter examines how Oroonoko is characterized as a "superhuman" hero, emphasizing his nobility and education to differentiate him from other enslaved individuals.
4. Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko: The tragic hero: This chapter explores why Behn selected a prince as her protagonist, arguing it was necessary to highlight the particular injustice of kidnapping nobility within the colonial system.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the finding that the text is not anti-slavery, but rather a protest against the greed and cruelty of specific colonial actors.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to support the analysis of Behn's work.
Keywords
Oroonoko, Aphra Behn, British Colonialism, Transatlantic Slave Trade, Royal Slave, Slavery, Social Criticism, Colonialism, Triangular Trade, Parham Plantation, Anti-slavery, Aristocracy, Heroism, Surinam, Human Rights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the narrative Oroonoko by Aphra Behn and explores the tension between its portrayal of slavery and its underlying social criticism regarding British colonialism.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the nature of the Transatlantic slave trade, the construction of the "royal slave" as a literary device, colonial power dynamics, and the hypocrisy of European colonizers.
What is the main research question of the study?
The study asks whether Oroonoko should be categorized as an anti-slavery text or if it serves a different ideological purpose, specifically criticizing the conduct of colonial privateers rather than the institution of slavery itself.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, integrating historical context and secondary scholarly literature to examine themes, characterization, and the author's narrative intent.
What aspects of the book are addressed in the main body?
The main body treats the historical background of the slave trade, specific scenes regarding the treatment of slaves, the distinction between common and royal slaves, and the tragic nature of the protagonist.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The work is characterized by terms such as Oroonoko, British Colonialism, Transatlantic Slave Trade, Royal Slave, and Social Criticism.
How does Behn distinguish between "common" slaves and the "royal slave"?
Behn elevates the royal slave by emphasizing his education, physical beauty, and noble status, contrasting these traits with the narrative's more dismissive portrayal of common slaves.
Why does the author argue that the text is not an anti-slavery piece?
The author argues that because the text does not condemn slavery as an institution—but only its application to nobility and the treachery of specific colonial agents—it cannot be classified as an anti-slavery work.
What role does the narrator play in the story?
The narrator, who Oroonoko calls his "Great Mistress," occupies a position of proximity to the plantation power structure, and her ultimate inaction highlights the lack of systemic resistance to slavery.
- Citar trabajo
- Alexandra Baum (Autor), 2014, A Royal Slave as Colonial Criticism in Aphra Behn’s "Oroonoko", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286153
