OroonokoAphra Behn (1688)

Four Narrative Shifts

1. Surinam (Edenic paradise)2. Coramantien (Africa—Oroonoko history)3. Surinam (slavery)4. Surinam (slave rebellion)

England/Surinam/Coramantien Map

Genre• the memoir: the narrator’s descriptions describe

a significant first-hand experience• the travel narrative: the action and characters

move between Africa, the ‘new world’ in the west, and the ‘old world’ of Europe

• biography: the narrative tells the life story of the protagonist and heroic character Oroonoko

• medieval romance: Oroonoko exemplifies honor and chivalry in a knightly sense; honors and protects women

Traditional European Pastoral• Rooted in antiquity (Greek—Theocritus; Roman—Virgil)• Idealized natural setting• Classic antiquity—shepherd in the countryside• Distrust of urban culture juxtaposed with a longing for

the simplicity of rural life

The American Pastoral• Focus on the wilderness as an idealized, pure space—the

garden of Eden before the fall (American Adam hero)• Native Americans as untainted by corrupt European

civilization• Virgin lands where human beings have an opportunity to

re-create paradise (European land is defiled)

The Noble Savage Trope

• Romanticized idealization of indigenous people

• Ignorant and simple-minded, but• Uncorrupted by modern civilization• “Uncivilized” societies live in perfect harmony

with nature and eachother

Images of Women:

• Narrator• Imoinda• Onahal• Governor Byam’s

Indian mistress

Masculinity

• Oroonoko• King of Coramantien• Aboan• Captain of ship• Treyfry• Tuscan• Governor Byam

What is Behn’s view of:

• Religion? • Western civilization? • Slavery?• The New World?• Other cultures?

The “Other” as a Literary Concept

The Other is an individual who is perceived by the group as not belonging, as being different in some fundamental way. Any stranger becomes the Other. The group sees itself as the norm and judges those who do not meet that norm (that is, who are different in any way) as the Other. Perceived as lacking essential characteristics possessed by the group, the Other is almost always seen as a lesser or inferior being and is treated accordingly. The Other in a society may have few or no legal rights, may be characterized as less intelligent or as immoral, and may even be regarded as sub-human.

Otherness takes many forms. The Other may be someone who is of...

• a different race (White vs. non-White), • a different nationality (Anglo Saxon vs. Italian), • a different religion (Protestant vs. Catholic or Christian vs. Jew), • a different social class (aristocrat vs. serf), • a different political ideology (capitalism vs. communism), • a different sexual orientation (heterosexual vs. homosexual), • a different origin (native born vs. immigrant). • The Other is not necessarily a numerical minority. In a country defeated by an

imperial power, the far more numerous natives become the Other, for example, the British rule in India where Indians outnumbered the British 4,000 to 1. Similarly, women are defined and judged by men, the dominant group, in relationship to themselves, so that they become the Other. Hence Aristotle says: "The female is a female by virtue of a certain lack of qualities; we should regard the female nature as afflicted with a natural defectiveness." The group which is defining the Other may be an entire society, a social class or a community within a society, a family, or even a high school clique or a neighborhood gang.

What forms of “Otherness” do you see in Oroonoko?How does Behn present these “Others”?How are “Others” perceived differently by different characters?

The Tragic Hero

What is Oroonoko’s tragic flaw?Is the flaw culturally dependent?

Aphra Behn’s Purpose

What is the purpose of this text?How does Behn appeal to the reader using the rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos, and logos?Ethos-establishing credibility of the speakerPathos-appealing to audience’s emotionsLogos-appealing to audience’s reason/logic

Wordle—Oroonoko’s speech to rally slaves