Aphra Behn is one of the professional female authors in the world. She is the author of Oroonoko; a book that has attracted many scholars because of its unique style of presenting ideas. This book was written during the 17th century to motivate readers who had accepted slavery as part of life. Moreover, Aphra narrates about different events that shaped the political landscape in her country and other parts of the world. This essay focuses on the theme of slavery, as presented in the book. It elaborates on Oroonoko`s condemnation of slave trading and his fight for freedom that costs people. Oroonoko and Imoinda are seen to be powerless over their lives and bodies.
Oroonoko`s nobility is put to the test when he is captured. As a hero, slavery becomes a trial character to him. He tries to use diplomacy to negotiate for his release by the ship captain who declines his request. As a result, Oroonoko advises his fellow slaves to face their fate with bravery. However, in Suriname, he absorbs that even though he will portray good behaviour towards slavery, he will face cruelty from the masters. The conditions keep on worsening despite him and other slaves trying to bear it.
Moreover, Oroonoko is demoralized by the European slave master who doesn`t keep their promises. Oroonoko tries to buy his freedom from Trefry, but he fails. This makes him feel trapped no matter the attempts he is making. From the different slavery challenges, he undergoes, Oroonoko concludes that rebellion and insurrection are the only ways that can be used to fight violence. These actions result in a brutal punishment from the captors. Moreover, Oroonoko`s challenges depict that slavery results in the most and worst human impulses violence.
Slavery has also affected imoinda and Oroonoko`s insight into the future. Due to their limited freedom, the couple realizes that their unborn baby will also lack freedom. For this reason, they resolve to death as their decision for the safety of the child and Imoinda. Oroonoko kills Imoinda with the unborn child. This act makes him awful to the extent of staying with Imoinda`s body for eight days. After the white men realize that Oroonoko killed his wife, they capture him so that he can be executed. Oroonoko attempts to kill himself, but he is rescued and taken to Parham for revival. They tell Oroonoko “he should die like a dog” (Behn 1054).
Before Oroonoko`s murder, he mobilizes the other slaves for a rebellion. Oroonoko states “Have they won us in honourable battle? And are we by the chance of war become their slaves?” (Behn 1044). Oroonoko explains to them that slavery is eternal, and therefore the rebellion will help in rescuing themselves. He also says that their names have been changed, their identities have been altered irrevocably, and they have been separated with their families; thus the rebellion will help them overcome the brutality from the slave masters. The slaves later after the resistance decide to give in their rulers, exposing how slavery has impacted their way of lives. Therefore, the slaves choose to obey their masters for survival. Oroonoko`s murder depicts to them the consequences of disobedience and lack of power that even the royal slave is deprived.
In conclusion, the writer illustrates the ambiguous nature of slavery which affected many captives. However, Behn does not state whether she is anti-slavery, but through her word choice and writing, one can guess that Behn did not support slavery.