Aphra Bethn introduces two very different cultures in Oroonoko. Coramantien represents an African kingdom ruled solely by royalty and Surinam represents an English colony that includes both natives as well colonists. Behn’s depictions are the result of her Western heritage, and add a third realm to Oroonoko: seventeenth-century England. These three “worlds”, while they are very different, have a lot in common. Behn’s Europe, for example, is a highly developed society with laws and religion, as well as technology and social structure. Coramantien or Surinam on the other hand, are less advanced versions of European societies. Surinam has nothing in common with Europe. Its people are simple and its only structure was created by colonists. Coramantien is somewhere in between. Its royal governance may be reminiscent of England, but its lack of laws and polygamy suggest that it is not equal to Western nations. Behn sees Europe’s superiority as a result of its advanced society. However, Behn believes that the more developed the society is, then the more corrupt people are. Behn creates a complex view of Europe in the seventeenth century by using the “three-world” dynamic. He shows how Oroonoko fits within each of them.

Behn’s novel begins with a description by Behn of the Surinamese people. She says that “the English are in perfect harmony with the Surinamese, and do not dare to command or control them. They caress the Surinamese with the most brotherly and loving affection” (9). Behn discusses various items that English people trade with Surinamese. Behn explains how the colonists of Surinam and the natives have a good relationship and interact frequently. Europeans usually do not like living with natives because they are’savages’ and Europeans who are refined should never be forced to interact with them. Behn is not so negative about the Surinamese. She admires their beauty and modesty. Behn believes that the separation of colonists from natives was beneficial to the natives rather than a way to preserve her fragile, cultivated European identities. Behn thinks that Surinamese are pure and would lose this purity if the adopted a European culture. She compares Surinamese natives with Adam, Eve and the rest of mankind: “These people represent to me a perfect idea of innocence in the beginning before man was able to sin.” Behn does not see the natives in a savage, brutal light, but rather as innocents who are uncorrupted. Behn claims that instead of following the laws set by religion or government, which would eventually lead to their demise, natives follow the laws set by nature. The reason they live moral lives is because they are not taught how to act immorally. Behn also argues that the Europeans teach the natives the concept of dishonesty. Behn’s thoughts on the colonial-native relationship are crystal clear. The Surinamese have a pure and untainted life, but it is only tainted by Western culture.

Behn was convinced that English people were violent and evil because of recent events. Oroonoko is a clear example of this. This corruption is due to the English government and their religion. These institutions not only taught the English what was not acceptable, but they also caused many disagreements, leading to violence. Behn’s portrayal of the Surinam colonists shows the English tendency to dishonesty. Byam, governor of Surinam in the novel, is a reprehensible figure. He does nothing but show cruelty to slaves. Trefry is Oroonoko’s friend and overseer. He believes Byam will let Oroonoko live if the slaves surrender. Oroonoko’s comrade Tuscan is also whipped.

Trefry’s character represents the untrustworthiness the English to some extent, although not quite to the same degree as Byam. Behn describes how Trefry loved Oroonoko like a brother and showed him all of the civilities expected from a person so great. Trefry genuinely cared about Oroonoko. His promise that he’d help him get back to Coramantien was not fulfilled.

Oroonoko has just about died when Banister, an Irishman described by Behn as “a fellow of absolute barbarity”, tells Oroonoko that he should die like a dog. Banister, a barbarous Irishman whom Behn calls “a fellow,” tells Oroonoko that “he should be killed like a dog for what he is” (Behn, 76). Oroonoko replies that Banister’s bravery was his first act of courage. He never spoke with any sense until he said that word. If he kept it, Banister would say in the afterlife that he is the only white man he has ever heard tell the truth. Behn shows that she believes her fellow Englishmen are cruel and perverse because of their government and religious practices. They also maintain a lot of power in the world.

Behn is still of the opinion that, despite the praise she gives to the natives, they are not the superior people. Behn’s description of natives begins with the English treating them as brothers. Not long after that, Behn states that “we feel it absolutely necessary to love them and not treat them as slaves. Behn implied that the English did not treat the natives equally, but they certainly showed some respect. This led to the friendship between both groups. Behn demonstrates that she believes in European superiority in her description of natives. Behn praises these natives to an extent, but she also implies that their skin colour is what makes them look less beautiful.

Also, Behn portrays the natives as unintelligent and simple-minded. This is shown in particular when the narrator, her brother, and the natives visit their home. Behn depicts them as simple-minded and unintelligent. Behn also discusses the dirty and physical nature of their work, which is unlike that of Europeans. Behn does not explicitly state that the Europeans are superior to natives. However, Behn’s discussion of the hard work they do, the lack of beauty in their appearance, the fear of an attack and the feeblemindedness of the natives all suggest she views them as inferior.

Behn is not as direct in her opinions about Coramantien as she is when it comes to Surinam. Coramantien has a development that is somewhere between Surinam’s and Europe’s. Behn considered Europe the most advanced place in the entire globe. Coramantien was significantly more developed compared to Surinam. Coramantien does have a social structure, but it is not as developed as Europe. There is, however, a monarchy that rules the country. This gives Coramantien a central source of authority, as opposed to a loose or nonexistent system. Behn does not explain how Coramantien society is organized under the king. She mentions war generals and their apparent respect. Behn also talks about the wives who married the king. Behn pays no attention to Coramantien society, leading one to believe that it is only the royals and the soldiers who are a part of the system. Behn considers Europe’s distinct order of monarchs/aristocrats/nobles/working class/peasants to be more structured than Coramantien, and undoubtedly better.

Coramantien also appears to have ambiguous laws. Oroonoko, the beautiful son of the late war general, falls in lust with Imoinda. Oroonoko proposes to Imoinda and she accepts. Oroonoko asks Imoinda to marry him, but Imoinda does not attend a traditional marriage ceremony. Instead, she accepts Oroonoko’s invitation. Imoinda is not willing to marry the king because he would be breaking the law and his royal goodwill by taking his wife from him. Imoinda declares Oroonoko and Imoinda’s marriage null because they have not consummated it yet. Oroonoko thinks that it is okay to sneak into the king’s otan, and sleep with Imoinda. This is because they made a promise, and also the king had never slept in Imoinda’s bed. Coramantien’s laws are vague and unclear about what constitutes marriage. Europe’s law enforcement and code is also a big problem for the Coramantien system.

Behn compares Europe with Coramantien, and the comparison is unspokenly based on the political and social structure of the two countries and their laws. Behn mentions Coramantiens physical beauty as well, similar to the Surinamese. Behn describes Imoinda, as “the beautiful black Venus to our youthful Mars”, and Oroonoko is “as handsome, pleasing and attractive” when he debates his color. Behn’s focus is on their skin color, that they are not all white, and how this is a hindrance in their real beauty. Behn compares Coramantien’s constant involvement in war and its king’s many wives to biblical themes. Behn uses the comparisons to show the Europeans as superior. The biblical subtext in Coramantien also suggests this.

Behn’s argument for European superiority is based on Oroonoko, his characterization, and how he views Surinam and Coramantien. Behn is particularly fond of Oroonoko, describing him as having “humanity…[a] real greatness of soul…refined notions of true honour…absolute generosity…softness that was capable of the highest passions of love and gallantry” (14). Behn mentions that Oroonoko didn’t develop these qualities because he lived in Coramantien. Oroonoko was raised by a Frenchman and also communicated frequently with Englishmen, Spaniards, and Englishmen. Oroonoko developed his polished and refined character from the interactions he had with Europeans. Oroonoko was born in Coramantien. However, his disposition and personality are products not of African but European society.

Behn, too believes that Oroonoko’s enslavement by Surinam’s government is wrong due to Oroonoko’s status as a prince and his cultural background. Oroonoko, who is a prince and has learned the ways of elegant, dignified European life, does not deserve to be treated as a slave in Surinam. Behn feels that this treatment was justified as Oroonoko, a prince who has lived a dignified, elegant life in Europe, is not suited to slave labor. Behn demonstrates this belief, especially after Oroonoko has died. “Thus he died, worthy of better fate,” (76) she states. Behn’s position on slavery is not against all of it, nor is she against the terrible fate that Surinam’s rebellious slaves suffer. But, her opposition to Oroonoko being enslaved and dying in such a horrific manner is because Oroonoko is both an African and European prince who was born to a culture of refinement and sophistication, rather than some poor war captive. Behn concludes her argument about Western superiority with her description of Oroonoko being predominantly European.

Oroonoko is a character that represents a convoluted view of European society. Behn uses the disorderly political structure of Coramantien, its outdated, biblical way of life and Surinam’s simple-mindedness to portray an undeniable European superiority. Behn may argue that Europeans had a higher moral standard than Africans or colonial peoples. But there’s a hint in the book that suggests they were also highly immoral. Behn argues that Europe is an advanced civilization but its people’s morality has declined because of technological advancements, social orders, religious practices, government, etc. Behn’s comparisons between civilized Europe, primitive South America and quasi-developed Africa argue that the innocence and virtues of a people diminish with every advancement.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.