Oroonoko

"The Royal Slave" So I have to say that I really enjoyed the story of Oroonoko. This book had many elements that could be interpreted in different ways. I see the Arthur Aphra Behn as trying to reach out to her audience that people in other parts of the world are good and also I feel that in her story she takes a defensive side to the slaves. In the story we see the main Character as a Black. I feel this was very different of what the English we used to reading. Behn is extending her writing and her audience on different cultures of the world. In every aspect of the story Behn makes you feel as if you were actually there in the story beside Oroonoke hearing his life play out. Behn writes as if she were really there meeting Oroonoko, which I believe is why I really got in to the book and to each character role.

The entire book for me was a about how true love is worth dieing for. I felt sorry for Oroonoko to see him betrayed so many times by his own kind, friends and family. With writing a story of this nature it really depicts Real life and what happens. It shows that life is not a fairy tale and that horrific tragedies do occur; but as humans we can each find our happiness and place in life.

After really thinking and re-reading the death of Imoinda, I can agree with her. Imoinda a slave already and now with child who when born will also become a slave why not die for your husband and child. Women then had no choice or say in any aspects and now being a slave just made it impossible to be able to have any word. Her love was so strong for Oroonoko that she was willing to die. She had so much respect for him; and Oroonoko would rather him kill her than some other person, who in terms could make her death more brutal than necessary. Pg 2223 "And then severing her yet smiling face from that delicate body, pregnant as it was the fruits of tenderest love." She died smiling on in the arms of her love. If I were in that time and had no way of ever speaking what I wanted I would do the same for my husband. Love is a strong bond between two people and in this story it is truly expressed.

Also another aspect that Behn expresses in the story is how women have no authority. One example being Imoinda being given the royal veil. pg 2189 " Tis not to be imagined the suprise and grief that seized this lovely maid at this news and sight. However, as delays in these cases are dangerous and pleading worse than treason,trembling, and almost fainting, she was obliged to suffer herself to be covered and led away"

Once again we see when Imoinda is caught by the King with Oroonoko he orders her straight into slavery. pg 2197 "He therefore removes her from the Otan, with Ohahal; whom he put into safe hands, with order they should be both sold off as slaves to another country, either Christian or heathen; 'twas no matter there"

In truth I loved how Behn portrayed Oroonoko as someone whose soul and body were so admirably adorned. He is loved both as a Prince and slave. Which again shows her favoritism of slavery and not liking it. Oroonoko was a fierce and true person. He had only one love and died by staying true to his background and never letting the white see him cry or hurt. After being brutally beaten then put to a gruesome death he stood his ground to the end. Never giving up.

Then the last line my favorite "Thus died this great man, worthy of a better fate, and a more sublime wit than mine to write his praise; yet, I hope, the reputation of my pen is considerable enough to make his glorious name to survive to all ages, with that of the brave, the beautiful, and the constant Imoinda.

True love; Behn still brings the last line to fit both Oroonoko and Imoinda.