Oroonoko is an interesting tale that was created by Aphra Behn. This book while created in 1688 has certain topics and themes that can still be relatable to present-day life here in New York. Aphra Behn is a cultural icon. Not just because she is a female play write but also because she wrote one of the first stories that depict the tale of a Slave Prince who in the tale Aphra Behn acts as a narrator. The narrator Behn does not just know the character but she states that she had also witnessed some of the moments the main character has experienced or has heard first hand from the Prince. This is made clear in the beginning especially when Aphra Behn states, “The scene of the last part of his adventures lies in a colony in America, called Surinam, in the West Indies.” This is important because it gives us a perspective of where the story is being told to us from. 

Oroonoko’s name is not mentioned until about thirteen pages into the book but so much about his past is revealed to us and its relativity to modern life is very clear as well. Aphra Behn states, “he had only left him for his successor one grandchild, son to one of these dead victors, who, as soon as he could bear a bow in his hand, and a quiver at his back, was sent into the field to be trained up by one of the oldest generals to war; where, from his natural inclination to arms, and the occasions given him, with the good conduct of the old general, he became, at the age of seventeen, one of the most expert captains and bravest soldiers that ever saw the field of Mars: so that he was adored as the wonder of all that world, and the darling of the soldiers.” It is relatable that Oroonoko is depicted in such a way because most people nowadays don’t see that level of ability within our youth the way his grandfather did and like his grandfather anytime people do see potential in their kids often time it’s for their own benefit. Here in New York, you have students who at the age of thirteen are not valued within school systems or even at home so they go out into the world to find this very same level of attention and discipline through gangs. Not to mention that many New York kids can understand what it’s like to have their lives controlled just like Oroonoko because in the story his own grandfather deprives him of his wife. In the tale, it states, “After a thousand assurances of his lasting flame, and her eternal empire over him, she condescended to receive him for her husband; or rather, received him as the greatest honor the gods could do her.” What Behn is trying to do here is not necessarily state that they were married because the culture that this takes place in didn’t necessarily believe in the same marital beliefs that we do in Christian based societies but still to give off that marriage kind of vibe meaning they are officially a couple. Unfortunately, Behn states, “he had intelligence brought him that Imoinda was most certainly mistress to the Prince Oroonoko. This gave him some chagrin: however, it gave him also an opportunity…” This means that the Grandfather found information on Oroonoko like any modern-day parent goes snooping through your personal life or text messages to find out about you without actually talking to you face to face. In turn of finding out about Oroonoko and his new wife Imoinda the Behn states,” He was therefore no sooner got to his apartment but he sent the royal veil to Imoinda; that is the ceremony of invitation: he sends the lady he has a mind to honor with his bed, a veil, with which she is covered, and secured for the king’s use; and ‘tis death to disobey; besides, held a most impious disobedience.” Basically, as the king, the grandfather uses his absolute power to take away what matters most to Oroonoko. In a fit of rage Oroonoko plots to take revenge or rebel against the king when he states, “And he would often cry, “O, my friends! were she in walled cities, or confined from me in fortifications of the greatest strength; did enchantments or monsters detain her from me; I would venture through any hazard to free her”. This is relatable because teenagers rebel against their parents all the time. Shakespeare wrote about it in Romeo and Juliet and it is a common occurrence to this day. It is important to respect the agency of young adults because their emotions could truly get the best of them and have them end up on a slave ship to South America in search of their love like Oroonoko himself. The link on the bottom leads to a video that acts as a visual modern representation of how Ooronoko must feel to have his life controlled by his own family.

Citations:

Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689. Oroonoko, Or, The Royal Slave. Boston :Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000.