This event is exemplified in Behn’s reading when the narrator describes Oroonoko’s appearance using classical European standards of beauty:West, C. (2000 ) “A geneology of modern racism”.
In contrast, Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, contains a narrator that not only has an unfavorable view about colonialism and slavery, but a positive opinion about one particular African that is forced into slavery, Oroonoko.
Some novels thrive in this form thanks in… Therefore, not only is Oroonoko considered handsome because he meets the European standards of beauty which are derived from classical physiognomy, but he is handsome because he is different from other Africans.
It sheds light on the horrors of slavery and paints many of the white colonists as brutal, greedy, and dishonest. One article that I believe is significant to this particular reading is “A Genealogy of Modern Racism”, written by Cornell West as it discusses three important events that occurred in the Early Modern period of Europe, which were used to justify slavery and in turn racism. However, I do not fully agree with her execution. It is referred to as being anti-slavery for the horrendous treatment of the slaves within the work by the white Europeans.
His eyes were the most awful that cou’d be seen, and very piercing; the white of ’em being like snow, as were his teeth” (Oroonoko 15). This description of Oroonoko raises questions as to whether the European narrator would have the same positive opinion about and compassion towards this African prince had he looked like, in her opinion, every other African, or whether he would have remained the likeable hero of the story. Aphra Johnson Behn (1640-1689), known as Aphra or Afra Behn,3 was an English woman writer from the Restora-tion period (1640-1684). Presumably if they had been defeated in war, indenture to their honourable captors would have been justified.
Oroonoko and his compatriots had been tricked into becoming slaves. One of the events, the revival of classical antiquity “produced what [West calls] “a normative gaze”, namely an ideal from which to order and compare observations.
His mouth the finest shape that could be seen, far from those great turned lips which are so natural to the rest of the Negroes” (Behn, 206).Thus although the texts exhibits some pro abolitionist scenes, such as the one where Oroonoko and other families endeavor to escape the plantations, it ultimately fails to be placed under the category of an anti-slavery narrative because it only sympathizes with one African character who has European physical traits.Innocence and delicacy were considered critical values of woman in the eighteenth century. In contrast, Aphra Behn’s
When Oroonoko is found and beaten, he no longer looks like himself “We all ran to see him; and if before we thought him so beautiful a sight, he was now so altered, that his face was like death’s head, blacked over, nothing but teeth and eyeholes” (Behn, 236). Although, this activism is also sort of romanticized, I think it’s a stretch to put the text on either end of a spectrum, with regard to its attitude towards slavery… Oroonoko is anti-slavery novel in which Mrs. Behn sets an axample to be followed by other women novelists to write in a new field and to fight against strongly built unjust politico-socio-economic institution. In addition to using European standards of beauty to make Oroonoko’s character likeable and handsome, the narrator only portrays a negative image of slavery when this character, who exhibits European beauty, is hurt. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
In the year 1688, women author Aphra Behn wrote the abolitionist book, Oroonoko, making her the first writer to produce a fictitious anti slavery novel. Although at first it seemed like it was an anti-slavery text…
She even describes our African lead as “not of that brown rusty black which most of that nation are, but of perfect ebony, or polished jett. Therefore by showing the protagonists’ positive feelings towards with their current situation and living arrangements, this scene encourages readers to view slavery in a more positive light. This ideal was primarily drawn from classical aesthetic values of beauty proportion and human form…” (West, 97).
Rather, he calls the colonialists who acquired them "a degenerate race, who have no one human virtue left, to distinguish them from the vilest creatures?"
By making her work of fiction seem realistic, it further engaged the readers intention and helped the mistreatment of slaves resonate more with the readers. Behn, like other writers from her era, felt greatly disheartened that her countrymen could behead the late king Charles I (1649) and that countless assassination attempts continued on his son, the restored Charles II. He adored the very cottage where she resided…and she vowed it was a palace while adorned with the presence of Oroonoko” (Behn, 222). In the book, Oroonoko … Many argue that Behn had to portray her fictitious character in this light in order to obtain empathy from her English audiences. Oroonoko is highly regarded as an anti-colonial text. Not A Fan of Either
Just like today, these authors valued making a creative, eye catching piece just as much as they wanted to spread their message to the world.White Chick’s Perspective on Black Lives MatterFerguson, Moira. He is portrayed as a divine, well educated African man and despite his foreign background, he has the morals of an idealized European. In general, it is important to remember that the historical content we take away from these forms of texts are not to be taken as fact. in Evelina a novel by Frances Burney explores the obstacles a girl has to overcome in the upper class society of England. This makes it seem as though she is whitening the lead in order for European audiences to take an interest.“We Survived…At Last I Speak” By Leon MalmedEnter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.A Nation of Immigrants that No Longer Accepts ImmigrantsA Millennial or Centennial? The novel centers around Evelina and… Last week we discussed the term colonialism and its significance in captivity narratives. Therefore, she had to adapt her story line to her audience in order to be taken seriously by her society.
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