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The story of the royal slave Oroonoko by Aphra Behn, carries with it numerous principles and contains various subtle undertones which the author has carefully laid down for the reader. ... As we delve deeper within the story and indeed into Aphra Behns own ideology it becomes clear that there are more pressing issues on the mind of the writer than simply to present the reader with an entertaining, realistic travel story.
Through Behns presentation of the story she conveys a sense of her own life long dedication to the aristocratic principle and her more than dislike of the middle classes attitude and behavior. ...
The peril of those people disposed and marginalised throughout the novel is hinted at by Behn and she presents the reader with their cause, whether it is the slaves, dispossessed royalty or women.
Behn toys with the issue and the ethics of slavery and its importance in the expansion of the British Empire. ...
In the course of my essay I am going to explore and analyse each of the factors mentioned above and ultimately decide on the ideology which is paramount in Behns Oroonoko and the underlying reasons for this choice.
It is thought that Aphra Behn traveled to Surinam with her family between 1663 and 1664. She writes the story as if she is the narrator herself and tells of her experiences while abroad. ... Although Behn amplifies her own public or social status to generate the narrator in her story, her knowledge of Surinam is detailed and accurate giving rise to the suggestion that she had actually visited the place at some point in her life. Despite Behn having allegiance to the upper classes, this does not make it certain that she was of highborn society; it only highlights her aspiration to them.
The first ideal portrayed through Oroonoko is the aristocratic principle, which remains strong throughout the story.
In the presentation of Oroonoko as a character, we soon learn that he is both beautiful in body and in countenance. ... ’
Oroonoko’s physical body is praised extensively, although he is a Negro he possesses features commonly associated with white people. ... ’
This opinion held by Behn is racist, she only admits he is beautiful after she has described his features as being European and then she says he is virtually perfect aside from his dark coloured skin. ... This shows the reader a true representation of the author’s ideals i. ... ’
Behn infers that only in Europe is it familiar to find men with ample education and in some way she relates to the reader that the Africans are not normally capable of being intelligent and learned by making such a spectacle of Oroonoko.
The Aristocratic principle, which Behn continually endorses, is affirmed through Oroonoko. Oroonoko is an allegory for English aristocratic gentlemen and through his presentation in such a positive light the upper class are receiving their portion of praise and recommendation from Behn. ... It was not in Oroonoko’s nature to be distrustful as he never had been exposed to such deceitfulness and was therefore is vulnerable to deception. ... ’
This cutting and derogatory statement is a direct claim by Behn that the middle classes were dishonourable and hypocritical and because Oroonoko did not resort to physical violence this underlines the reality that he is not at all barbarous. Using Oroonoko as an allegory for the aristocracy in England, Behn presents him in distinction with the middle class slave traders, who in the novel represent themselves, and this highlights their readiness to break their word in order to make more money and ultimately portrays them in a very negative light. ... This is another attack by Behn on the middle class traders. ... The author’s position on this topic seems to be that it is acceptable to take slaves provided they are won honourably in battle although her attitude is not always clear; it is ambiguous and ever wavering.
Approximate Word count = 3151
Approximate Pages = 12.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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