summary
Who are the two main characters of Oroonoko? Give both versions of their names.
Oroonoko (Caesar)
Imoinda (Clemene)
During which historical period was Oroonoko written?
Oroonoko was written during the late 17th century
True or False
Aphra Behn begins the writing by saying Oroonoko was a fictional story she made up while spending time in Suriname
False
How does Oroonoko's character challenge stereotypes of people of color in literature?
Oroonoko's character challenges stereotypes of people of color by presenting him as intelligent, heroic, and honorable.
What job did King Charles give Aphra Behn during the second anglo- dutch war?
To become a spy. (code name Astrea)
Where is Oroonoko by Aphra Behn set? Where do they get sent in the story.
Oroonoko takes place in Africa. They get taken to Suriname
What was the primary motivation for European colonization during this period?
The primary motivation for European colonization during this period was economic gain through the exploitation of resources and trade.
what was Imoinda a Symbol of
Imoinda is a symbol of purity
What is the significance of Imoinda's beauty in the novel?
Imoinda's beauty serves as a symbol of the oppression of women and the objectification of people of color.
What was the Literary period/era did Aphra Ben write in?
Aphra Behn wrote during the Restoration Period.
Why did the king send Imoinda into slavery
As a punishment for her betrayal.
The reason the king decided on slavery over death was because slavery was thought to be worse than death
What was the role of slavery in European colonial expansion?
The role of Slavery was to provide a cheap source of labor for resource extraction and trade.
Who was Onahal and what did she symbolizes in the story
Onahal was one of the the king's wife, as well as the oldest of them
She represented the idea of resistance
Why did the king lie to Oroonoko about what happened to Imoinda?
The king's guilt leads him to lie to Oroonoko
How did Behn's gender impact her career as a writer?
Behn's gender impacted her career as a writer, as she faced criticism and discrimination in a male-dominated industry.
Who is responsible for Oroonoko's enslavement?
The captain
Was eventually sold to a slave owner by the name of Trefry
What was the cultural impact of the transatlantic slave trade?
The transatlantic slave trade lead to forced migration and mixing of peoples, languages, and traditions.
What character in the story of Oroonoko actually was founded to been a real person that existed by the British Library?
William Byam
What is the significance of the ending of Oroonoko?
The ending of Oroonoko because it highlights the brutal and inhumane treatment of enslaved people by colonial power
How did Behn's representation of race and gender challenge social norms in Oroonoko?
Behn's representation of race and gender challenged societal norms in Oroonoko by presenting people of color and women as complex and intelligence.
Why did Oroonoko decide to kill Imoinda?
He kills Imoinda out of mercy, as he believes she will suffer a worse fate if she gets taken
What country eventually took over Suriname shortly after the time period this story was based off?
The Dutch
Aphra Behn made herself the narrator based on being a personal "first hand" witness
Scholar Kim Gloria Burk writes how she was "fascinated" by the way Aphra Behn wrote Oroonoko and found a way to include herself in the writing piece. How did she do this?
Oroonoko faced betrayal throughout the story. Exactly how many times was he betrayed/lied too?
5x
King x2
The captain x2
Governor Byam
How was "Oroonoko" received by readers and critics when it was first published?
Was generally well received by readers and critics when it was first published in 1688. However, it was also controversial for its depiction of slavery and for the sympathetic portrayal of an African protagonist.