Oroonoko is a ground-breaking novella. It showed the African hero as a dignified, even royal, person. It was also one of many works from this era that showed compassion for Africans. Aphra Bethn, a female writer, made it a historic treasure. Oroonoko portrays the Africans’ struggles and how they dealt with Europeans. Oroonoko uses both the moral question about slavery and cultural adaptations as a theme. These themes converged to produce a concise, but powerful book that had a significant impact on the world. It could also have served as an inspiration for the abolitionist movement.
Oroonoko was created by Aphra Benhn for several reasons. She wrote Oroonoko as a way to help her family; she wanted to be a well-known author; she also wrote Oroonoko for the pleasure of writing. Although little is known about her life, it is believed that she was the first English woman writer. But, we know little about her life which influenced Oroonoko’s writing. Behn is known for her extraordinary education. She also features her deep cultural knowledge as well as her innate feelings for nobility. Preconceptions in those times limited Behn’s theme about the moral implications associated with slavery. “Aphra behn accepted slavery, just like nearly all her contemporaries,” (Todd xxvi). Aphra Behn’s experiences in life can also explain the theme. One example of her cultural adaptations is her brief stint as a spy. Most Atlantic World questioners agreed that slavery was a positive thing for Europe and that it was acceptable. Behn’s support for slavery was vague. While she described it as horrible and terrible, she never said that she opposed it. She even considered Europeans to be superior to Africans in many aspects. Behn’s description of Oroonoko is a perfect example. She describes him as an idealized, modified African male. He had a flawless ebony face, which she describes as a polished jet. His nose was flat and rose, not African-flat. His mouth was beautiful, with no sloping lips like the other Negroes. His face had a beauty and proportion that was unmatched by any other human being. Behn described Oroonoko’s physique as more like that an African person. This statement is consistent with the idea that Europeans are superior to Africans. Behn is not a slave owner because she believes slavery to be righteous just because they have the superiority idea. She speaks of Oroonoko’s treacherous white governor. She also details Oroonoko’s horrific torture and abuse at his hands, as well as other cruelty that was done to slaves. Behn does not mention banning slavery. Oroonoko gave slaves gifts. Behn is not clear in that there are arguments on both sides in the slavery debate. She never fully commits. There are clear instances where Behn considers Africans superior to white men, such as Oroonoko’s killing of two tigers.
Oroonoko also has a strong theme about cultural adaptations. Although there are many similarities, the wide rift between Africans & Europeans is clearly evident. Both cultures are influenced by the patriarchal theme, as is the issue surrounding nobility. Behnher believes in the respect and reverence of nobility. The cultural adaptations that Oroonoko and Imoinda make to this novella are, for the most part, cultural adaptations. They are now slaves, and this is what is most difficult for them. The tragedy of this situation is that they are no longer free, but slaves. Oroonoko or Imoinda can’t adapt to European culture, and it isn’t because they are savages. Behn used Surinam as a setting for Oroonoko. Oroonoko’s story, as told by Behn, is the first fictionalized portrayal of Africans in English (Toddxxiv). Oroonoko and Imoinda, along with their unborn child, die due to their inability to adjust to society’s cultural norms. Behn considers it a tragic decision for them to commit suicide rather than accept and adjust to their new lifestyle. In reality, however, it may seem unreasonable and extreme.
Behn’s novella has many inconsistencies. Oroonoko is filled with inconsistencies. This confusion results from Behn’s mixed beliefs about slavery and Europe. The novel’s confusion does not have to be negative, as it serves to highlight the author’s tone. Aphra Bethn’s Oroonoko is an important historical document. It is the only novel to sympathize fully with African natives. Also, it is the first European-authored novel. It is not only about breaking down barriers but also because it was written for political reasons. This allows us to understand the political factions of that time and helps us to see how we can help them. It is worth studying the themes Behn discusses.
Oroonoko by Aphra Behn used the theme of the moral issue of slavery and cultural adaptations to show slavery wasn’t the one-dimensional problem that many people in this time believed it to be. Behn does not explicitly state that he is anti-slavery but there are certain instances where he highlights the terribleness of injustice. Considered to be one of the first abolitionist works, Oroonoko is unquestionably one of the most telling and information-providing historical documents that we have from this time period. Behn carefully combined Oroonoko with other documents to make a novel. This would raise disturbing questions about the morality and ideas of slavery as well as what lengths are required to become truly free.
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