The paper aks: who are the main characters in Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko; or, the Royal Slave and what are their traits? How do they interact with each other and what do they represent? As the novel gives little evidence what each of them stands for, this term paper will give a detailed analysis about their occurrence, appearance, introduction and importance during narration. In the beginning, the focus will be on the role of Oroonoko, who gives the novel its name and fails to gain his freedom as a royal slave. What makes him different than the other slaves and how is it visually presented? An important point to consider is his European behaviour that he has acquired and how he shows it within interactions between other characters. Nevertheless, his character symbolises much more than these aspects and therefore, it is essential to focus on his attitude towards love and religion in order to highlight his individuality and unique nature. Furthermore, the presence of the narrator within the novel will be analysed in order to see if Aphra Behn creates a narrative that reflects her own impressions during her stay in Surinam or if the story is complete fiction.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Character Symbolisation
- 2.1 Oroonoko as Royal Savage
- 2.2 The Narrator as Aphra Behn (? )
- 2.3 Imoinda as the Other
- 3. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes the characterization and symbolism in Aphra Behn's Oroonoko, focusing on the main characters: Oroonoko, the narrator, and Imoinda. The paper explores how these characters interact, what they represent within the narrative, and their significance in the context of the novel's themes.
- Oroonoko's portrayal as a "Royal Savage" and the complexities of his identity as a noble slave.
- The ambiguous role of the narrator and the potential connection to Aphra Behn herself.
- Imoinda's representation as the "Other" and her importance in the narrative.
- The exploration of themes of colonialism, slavery, and power dynamics.
- The novel's blend of Old World romance and New World travelogue.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of character symbolism in Aphra Behn's Oroonoko. It outlines the main objectives of the paper, which are to examine the roles, traits, and interactions of the principal characters—Oroonoko, the narrator, and Imoinda—and to decipher their symbolic significance within the narrative. The introduction highlights the lack of explicit symbolism in the novel, emphasizing the need for a detailed analysis of character occurrences, appearances, introductions, and narrative importance. It previews the examination of Oroonoko's unique characteristics, his Europeanized behavior, and his attitudes toward love and religion. Further, it foreshadows an analysis of the narrator's potential connection to Aphra Behn and the narrator's relationship with Oroonoko, along with an exploration of Imoinda's role as Oroonoko's female counterpart and the challenges of portraying her character on stage.
2. Character Symbolisation: This chapter delves into the symbolic representation of the main characters within the narrative. It is divided into three sub-sections, each focusing on a specific character. The chapter aims to uncover the deeper meanings and interpretations behind the characters' actions and descriptions.
2.1 Oroonoko as Royal Savage: This section explores the complex character of Oroonoko, examining his paradoxical position as a "royal slave." It analyzes his rejection of both his African and European settings, his experience of capture and enslavement, and his eventual rebellion against his captors. The section also delves into Oroonoko's physical description in the novel, highlighting the Europeanized elements of his appearance and the implications of this portrayal. It further investigates Oroonoko's aristocratic status, his participation in the slave trade, and the ultimate consequences of his rebellion, emphasizing his fragmented identity and the colonists' brutal treatment of him. The section draws upon the works of various scholars to offer a nuanced interpretation of Oroonoko's symbolic significance within the context of colonialism and power dynamics.
Keywords
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko, Royal Slave, Character Symbolism, Colonialism, Slavery, Power Dynamics, Narrator, Imoinda, Royal Savage, Europeanization, African Identity.
Aphra Behn's Oroonoko: A Term Paper Preview - FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a term paper analyzing character symbolism in Aphra Behn's Oroonoko. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the term paper?
The paper focuses on characterization and symbolism in Oroonoko, specifically examining Oroonoko, the narrator, and Imoinda. Key themes include colonialism, slavery, power dynamics, the complexities of identity (particularly Oroonoko's "Royal Savage" status), and the ambiguous role of the narrator. The blend of Old World romance and New World travelogue in the novel is also explored.
Which characters are analyzed in detail?
The paper provides in-depth analysis of three main characters: Oroonoko, the narrator, and Imoinda. Each character's role, symbolism, and interactions within the narrative are examined.
How is Oroonoko portrayed in the paper?
Oroonoko is analyzed as a "Royal Savage," exploring the complexities of his identity as a noble slave. His rejection of both African and European settings, his experience of enslavement, his rebellion, and his physical description (highlighting Europeanized elements) are all key aspects of the analysis. His aristocratic status, participation in the slave trade, and the consequences of his rebellion are also discussed.
What is the significance of the narrator in the analysis?
The paper explores the ambiguous role of the narrator and the potential connection between the narrator and Aphra Behn herself. The narrator's relationship with Oroonoko is also a focal point of the analysis.
What is Imoinda's role in the narrative?
Imoinda is analyzed as representing the "Other" and her importance to the narrative is explored. The challenges of portraying her character are also considered.
What is included in the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The "Chapter Summaries" section provides a brief overview of each chapter's content. The introduction outlines the paper's objectives and methodology. The "Character Symbolism" chapter details the analysis of each main character, exploring their symbolic representation within the narrative.
What are the keywords associated with this term paper?
Keywords include: Aphra Behn, Oroonoko, Royal Slave, Character Symbolism, Colonialism, Slavery, Power Dynamics, Narrator, Imoinda, Royal Savage, Europeanization, and African Identity.
What is the overall approach of the term paper?
The term paper employs a detailed analysis of character occurrences, appearances, introductions, and narrative importance to uncover the symbolic significance of the characters in Aphra Behn's Oroonoko. It acknowledges the lack of explicit symbolism in the novel and uses scholarly works to support its interpretations.
Where can I find the full term paper?
This document is a preview only. The full term paper is not included here.
- Quote paper
- Kim Gloria Burk (Author), 2019, Character symbolisation in the book "Oroonoko or the Royal Slave" by Aphra Behn (1688), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/964286
