Oroonoko’s Otherness: A Study of Aphra Behn’s Novel
7. ENCOUNTERS WITH THE OTHER IN OROONOKO
Oroonoko’s Otherness: A Study of Aphra Behn’s Novel
This essay aims to explore the ways in which Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko develops the concept of “the other” through the depiction both mental and physical of its main character, Oroonoko.
First and foremost, it is important to be aware of the context in which this piece of work was written. Oroonoko is set in the 17th century, a time in which British domination and colonization had a massive impact on the social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of the countries they invaded. This invasion led to the emergence of a group of oppressed and inferior people. Needless to say, Aphra Behn was a noticeable female author in the Renaissance, a period that suffered from racial issues related to social actions such as “Otherness‟, to mention only one.
Oroonoko’s Origins and Character
One idea that is worth mentioning is that from the beginning Aphra Behn is emphasizing the fact that Oroonoko’s origins are not the usual from a slave. He is the grandson and only successor of the King of Coramantien. When she finally introduces Oroonoko (after discussing the lifestyle of South American Indians and the trade-in slaves) he appears as a youth of seventeen, “one of the most expert Captains, and bravest Soldiers, that ever saw the Field of Mars,” (Behn, 13) and also “the Wonder of all that World, and the Darling of the Soldiers” (Behn, 13). In addition, here we can see one of his most important characteristic features, that of a military man.
Physical Description and Narrative Techniques
Also, if we pay attention to the physical description of the main protagonist it clearly shows the narrative techniques the author uses to help the reader understand that because of his beauty and unusual appearance, he is different from others of the same race. It is the first meeting with Oroonoko described by the narrator where his “otherness” is finally emphasized. It is his blackness: “The whole proportion and Air of his Face was so noble, and exactly form’d, that, bating his Colour, there cou’d be nothing in Nature more beautiful, agreeable and handsome” (Behn,15), and another such example could be found also on page 15 when the narrator states: “His [Oroonoko’s] nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and flat. His Mouth, the finest shap‟d that cou‟d be seen; far from these great turn‟d Lips, which are so natural to the rest of the Negroes.”
These two quotations could be illustrations of the main issue that is being discussed in this essay. Behn establishes that Oroonoko is different not only from white people, but also from other Africans, and thus, he holds a unique place in the novel.
Oroonoko’s Honor and Pride
Besides, if Oroonoko’s persona has been exalted due to his military skills and bravery, this will also be related to that of his sense of honor and pride. Indeed, in the first pages of the story it is stated that “he got that real greatness of soul, those refined notions of true honor, that absolute generosity, and that softness that was capable of the highest passions of love and gallantry, whose objects were almost continually fighting men,”. This way, Oroonoko’s personality is going to be determinant for Aphra Behn to deepen in the concept of “the other”, so much that he is going to be renowned as “Caesar”.
Caesar’s Role and Speech
Furthermore, his figure as Caesar, hence his role as “the other”, will be emphasized when Oroonoko gives a powerful speech to encourage the slaves to escape from their situation of slavery. As he claims
“why, my dear friends and fellow-sufferers, should we be slaves to an unknown people? Have they vanquished us nobly in fight? Have they won us in honorable battle? And are we by the chance of war become their slaves? This would not anger a noble heart; this would not animate a soldiers soul: no, but we are bought and sold like apes or monkeys, to be the sport of women, fools, and cowards;” (Behn, 62)
After the speech, he is recognized as a leader, and breaks with the widely believed assumption that slaves are made with the aim to serve. It is interesting to see that through his discourse he uses a bunch of vocabulary that is related to his origins, to being a soldier as could be: fight, battle and war. Again, this passage remembers of Oroonoko’s origins as a nobleman and as a trained-soldier making clear that he is different from the other slaves.
Conclusion
To sum up, throughout this construction of otherness through narrative strategies, it is important to point out that even though exoticism exists, otherness creates a state of isolation, both in the real sense for the characters, but also in the narrative sense. Despite his acceptance, mostly based on the fact that he is “nobl” in appearance and demeanor, Caesar is completely isolated. Through the distance of the first person narration—even though we have claims from the narrator that she has spoken directly with the man—Caesar remains completely apart from the reader.