Oroonoko

Oroonoko is the story’s central character and protagonist. Born and living in the mid-1600's, he is a South American prince and warrior, portrayed as having exceptional physical beauty; a broad and implicitly European education; and a capacity for strong emotions, particularly love, loyalty, and morality. Over the course of the narrative, he undergoes a journey of transformation that, in many ways, has more outward manifestations than inner ones: that is, his external circumstances (respected general, respected slave, leader of a slave revolt, tortured victim of jealousy and fear) change more than does his inner identity. From beginning to end, he remains a figure of courage, integrity, and dignity, which is particularly significant given that he does so while clearly remaining outside the boundaries of so-called “Christian” attitudes, behavior, and morality. Ultimately, though, there is the very strong sense about the story, arising primarily from this aspect...