Oroonoko
by Aphra Behn
When Prince Oronoko's passion for the virtuous Imood causes his grandfather's jealousy, the lovers are thrown into slavery and moved from Africa to the colony of Suriname. Orononoco's noble standing soon gains the respect of the British captives, but his struggle for freedom leads to his destruction. Inspired by Afra Ben's visit to Suriname, Oronoko reflects the author's romantic views on indigenous peoples as "the first state of innocence before a person knows how to sin." The novel also reveals Ben's ambiguous attitude toward slavery: although he prefers it as a means of strengthening Britain's power, his powerful and poignant work conveys his injustice and cruelty.
