Oroonoko by Aphra Behn is one of the most significant post-colonial books in our history. Its significance, especially for women, is enormous. She was one of the precursors of women literature and one of the first women who had writing as a profession. The authors, at that time had a closer attachment to their works, much more than nowadays. That kind of approach was a way to attract more readers, or to repel them. The connection between the reader, the writer and the book was somehow problematic, since the author had an “obligation” and a responsibility to cover the reader’s expectative. The relations between reader and writer were closer, the names were much more emphasized, and the market was more restricted. “Nowadays it is clear that the author is not the narrator.” (Barthes, 1973), and that “the experience of reading is a game.”(Poe apud Cíntia, 2004). And even more, that “in the interior of the story is, apparently, another story.”(Piglia apud Cíntia, 2004).
In Oroonoko, using the first person narrator, the writer explores that image of someone more reliable and trustful. The use of the first person narrator and the way the narrator is introduced and characterized in the plot as someone who has been in those exotic places, and seen or talked to the characters, is perfectly mixed with the use of the “suspension of disbelief”. Coleridge recalled:
“... It was agreed, that my endeavors should be directed to persons and characters supernatural, or at least romantic, yet so as to transfer from our inward nature a human interest and a semblance of truth sufficient to procure for these shadows of imagination that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith. Mr. Wordsworth on the other hand was to propose to himself as his object, to give the charm of novelty to things of every day, and to excite a feeling analogous to the supernatural, by awakening the mind's attention from the lethargy of custom, and directing it to the loveliness and the wonders of the world before us ...” (Coleridge, 1953)
In this game to attract the reader’s interest and sympathy, the first person narrator is set in a place of the most reliable person, the one who is really aware of the on goings. Since the beginning we find the narrator calling the reader’s attention to the credibility of that story.
“I was myself an eye-witness to a great part of what you will find here set down; and what I could not be witness of, I received from the mouth of the chief actor in this history, the hero himself, who gave us the whole transactions of his youth: and though I shall omit, for brevity's sake, a thousand little accidents of his life, which, however pleasant to us, where history was scarce and adventures very rare, yet might prove tedious and heavy to my reader, in a world where he finds diversions for every minute, new and strange. But we who were perfectly charmed with the character of this great man were curious to gather every circumstance of his life.” (Chapter 1.8)
The narrative is very detailed. One of the most impressive aspects of her work is actually the way she describes that new land - Suriname. It is a mixture of amazement and detachment. The narrator describes this new land, so detailed as a “scientific report”, making the reader - mainly the aristocratic English people in the post-colonial age - very curious about that new founded land and culture, which was a new discovery very familiar to their real lives. Some of the events and the places are described in a way to make the reader doubt about its veracity.
The descriptions have a mixture of admiration and criticism. At the same time the narrator seems to be amazed about that new culture, she(the narrator) is detached from them as a alien in that land. There are that colonizer perception, surrounded by amazement and a keen eye, searching every single detail and pointing out the differences that make the natives so uncivilized. Maybe they were not seen as inferior people, but different ones. She even compares them to the non-fallen man in paradise, as if “civilization” was the way for corruption of people’s souls.
“And though they are all thus naked, if one lives forever among 'em there is not to be seen an indecent action, or glance: and being continually used to see one another so unadorned, so like our first parents before the Fall, it seems as if they had no wishes, there being nothing to heighten curiosity;” (Chapter 1)
The Characterization of the new place expresses the differences between this whole new world and the place the narrator comes from. The narrative is attractive for the differences, as the similarities with the European culture. When the narrator describes the new land, she seems admired with all the colors, shapes, animals, behavior that an European reader would find, as she does, very interesting. For the Europeans, during that period of post-colonization, and even nowadays, to visit expositions and event where animals, clothing, as other foreign elements are brought closer to the public had become an event. Said that, the different ways used to approach the reader to the text are very effective, since it was something already known as effective when Oroonoko was written.
“for those we live with in perfect amity, without daring to command 'em; but, on the contrary, caress 'em with all the brotherly and friendly affection in the world; trading with them for their fish, venison, buffalo's skins, and little rarities; as marmosets, a sort of monkey, as big as a rat or weasel, but of marvelous and delicate shape, having face and hands like a human creature; and cousheries, a little beast in the form and fashion of a lion, as big as a kitten, but so exactly made in all parts like that noble beast that it is it in miniature. Then for little paraketoes, great parrots, mackaws, and a thousand other birds and beasts of wonderful and surprising forms, shapes, and colors. For skins of prodigious snakes, of which there are some threescore yards in length; as is the skin of one that may be seen at his Majesty's Antiquary's; where are also some rare flies, of amazing forms and colors, presented to 'em by myself; some as big as my fist, some less; and all of various excellencies, such as art cannot imitate. Then we trade for feathers, which they order into all shapes, make themselves little short habits of 'em and glorious wreaths for their heads, necks, arms, and legs, whose tinctures are unconceivable.” (Chapter 1)
Even in the text, the narrator comments about the Majesty's Antiquary's, as something very sophisticated and reserve to very few people. Somehow, to read all those details and talk about those discoveries were not only attractive, but very fashionable at that time.
“For skins of prodigious snakes, of which there are some threescore yards in length; as is the skin of one that may be seen at his Majesty's Antiquary's; where are also some rare flies, of amazing forms and colors, presented to 'em by myself; some as big as my fist, some less; and all of various excellencies, such as art cannot imitate.”(Chapter 1)
On the other hand, the description of familiar elements, such as the physical and behavioral characteristics of The Prince Oroonoko are “apparently” unconscious comparisons between her own aristocratic European background and culture, with that one she is describing as an exotic place.
“(…) His face was not of that brown rusty black which most of that nation are, but of perfect ebony, or polished jet. His eyes were the most awful that could be seen, and very piercing; the white of 'em being like snow, as were his teeth. His nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and flat. His mouth the finest shaped that could be seen; far from those great turned lips which are so natural to the rest of the negroes.”
The comparison and contrast are elements used to attract the reader for its differences and similarities. She compares not only the Prince, a black man, with her own people, but also compares him to his own people, from Suriname. When she makes the parallel, she approaches Prince Oroonoko to the European side. The comparison could be seen as prejudice, but I prefer to call it as her way to catch the reader and familiarize them to the protagonist. Maybe, if she had portrayed him in an ordinary way, the approach from the readers would be different.
The descriptions of the people, their aspect, behave and manner is based in comparisons between the narrator’s values and background, which were much closed to the reader’s values. The readers of Oroonoko come from the same European aristocratic background as the narrator. To describe The prince Oroonoko as a black man, very tall and strong, but caring those delicate features, such as a thin nose and small mouth, it seems to be an attempt to portray a very handsome man, very closed to the previous reference of General Othello, in Shakespeare’s play. The description of both characters, Prince Oroonoko and Othello, emphasizes their noble attitude towards their background. Compared to their own people, Africans or South-Americans. When doing that, the narrator describes those important men above the average, as special beings. Even when she tried to be polite to describe it, using the terms “(…) for they have all that is called beauty, except the color, which is a reddish yellow (…)” she demonstrates through her words sympathy, but a feeling that those natives were inferior to her own people, the Europeans. That comparison can be more evident when she is describing the Prince Oroonoko, but he is portrayed as an outstanding figure. The narrator says:
“I have often seen and conversed with this great man, and been a witness to many of his mighty actions; and do assure my reader, the most illustrious courts could not have produced a braver man, both for greatness of courage and mind, a judgment more solid, a wit more quick, and a conversation more sweet and diverting. He knew almost as much as if he had read much: he had heard of and admired the Romans: he had heard of the late Civil Wars in England, and the deplorable death of our great monarch; and would discourse of it with all the sense and abhorrence of the injustice imaginable. He had an extreme good and graceful mien, and all the civility of a well-bred great man. He had nothing of barbarity in his nature, but in all points addressed himself as if his education had been in some European court. (…) This great and just character of Oroonoko gave me an extreme curiosity to see him, especially when I knew he spoke French and English, and that I could talk with him. But though I had heard so much of him, I was as greatly surprised when I saw him as if I had heard nothing of him; so beyond all report I found him.” (Chapter 1)
Emphasizing the Prince’s manners and knowledge, she creates in the reader a curiosity about Prince Oronooko’s background. An atmosphere of mystery and nobility very closed to the idealized man – a hero. All that extensive characterization of the Prince and setting is made in order to create sympathy between the protagonist and the reader. That is not a coincidence, but a very smart strategy used by the author. The reader is invited to believe in that idealized person and place. The possibility to create a magic land and story, as if it was so closed to their reality that it becomes irresistible. That probably explains the huge success of the book and how that strategy it was used by many other authors, since writer became a way of living or a matter of make an idea spread worldwide.
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