The role of Violence in Aphra Behn's Oroonoko - Essay Example

Critical Analysis # 2 Humans in this world of uncertainty sometimes find themselves doing things that do not have or make much sense. Eventually, they regret their actions and return to a “normal” sense of reasoning. People do things out of fear, frustration, and sometimes, to prove a point. Violence takes form when people react to situations that do not behoove them. The role of Violence in Aphra Behns Oroonoko, is very often used in a way that is slightly different. It is used to bring attention to the horrific nature of slavery. Violence is not only used for the purpose of demonstration, but it is also used to “buff” someone up, or exert power on another; oftentimes, to show masculinity. But all violence brings an end to life and through death, one who sacrifices and suffers detriment, can usher another into a new life. Aphra Behns Oroonoko is s story about a man who was a slave. Many times we think of masculinity as something that is dressed in the physical person. People who are considered masculine embody the traits which make them just this. Without these traits, they can be considered androgynous. But fulfilling the role of a masculine person, you are embracing the fact that your physical anatomy tells the story. A man, during the time of slavery is not a man. Women, as we all know were treated poorly regardless of race and gender. But men, without their steal fist, were considered strong, powerful, and oftentimes controlling. As an African man, he held power, but once enslaved, all power was gone. Slavery strips a person of their rights, their possibilities and essential, their existence. What people do once out of slavery, can be farfetched. Sometimes, what is done to someone affects them so much that they find themselves retaliating and turning on the people they thought they loved. This story is a tale that is similar to a fairy tale except, the ending is not all that “happy.” This is a story that mixes oppressed people. In this case, not just one oppressed people group but two. Ironically, this story or tale is told by a woman who has a bit of power in her country and in her world. As you know, women in the 17th and 18th century had no power and were therefore treated like property. Animals had more worth than they did. The person who tells this story tries to help Oroonoko but it appears that he has put himself in an irreparable position. He is a black man, and though he has royalty, he is still much less of a person due to his color and cultural background. The story really does lavish his beauty, intelligence, strength as a leader and a fighter, and his physical appeal but it also speaks of the fact that he is a threat to nature. Oroonoko seems to be ok with his current situation of being enslaved until he finds out that Imoinda is pregnant. Being a slave can be an easy thing. Though not treated well, one is taken care of and one does not really have to “depend” on anything. But when Oroonoko takes some time to think about his family, and his future children, he realizes that being a slave may not be the trade mark he would want to pass down to his children. Being a slave is contrary to freedom. Every person should be considered free. Every person with a soul, with a right frame of mind, with the ability to make a difference, should and can be set free. As Oroonoko lives his life, he seems to go through several stages that take a turn for change. He is at first ok with his place as a slave. He is taught very early on that being white is more intelligent, and better. He himself carries lighter features and therefore, in a way puts himself on the pedestal of superiority. But his appreciation for the white race is present especially when he seems to befriend the person who captured him. Life seems more simple and in a way, ironically more carefree. He held to the fact that he was not as good as the white man. And he held to the idea that being a “white man” is the way to go. The second stage he seems to go through is the stage where he thinks about his family. The life he lived as a slave puts him at odds with nature and life itself. He knows that he does not want his children growing up in such circumstances and the thought of them doing so only makes for a longer day of being enslaved in his own mind. So he tries to encourage the other enslaved people to rise above and form a rebellion. He figures that if enough people rebel, they will be given power. The way in which he tries to gain awareness has caused several problems and has only created more problems for him. As Oroonoko dies, he smiles, he smirks. He holds a pipe in his mouth. This symbolizes a kind of victory. People who smoke pipes are laid back and free and have little care in the world. Or, I could symbolize someone who is overly stressed out and needs a break. It can go both ways and I believe that Oroonoko has exemplified both. His attempt to rally up the enslaved only caused stress. His worry about his own children being in his position in the future has only caused heartache and maybe, just maybe smoking a pipe before death is a great assurance into the next world; into a world where he does not have to worry about things that can affect him negatively. The fact that he was being mutilated only connotes his “at ease” composure with the idea of simplicity. As a conqueror, and a leader it is important that we stand up for what is right. It is important that we point our finger to injustice even if it costs us our lives. Oroonoko did just this. Things become very dangerous when the world of rebellion and compromise take form. Oroonoko and Imoinda realize that they are too noble to be working on the plantation. The Indians who are also at odds are too naïve to resist the issues at hand, the Europeans are too controlling to respect their own religion. The problem lies ahead of them and violence breaks out. Indians begin to self-mutilate, and Oroonoko cuts a piece of his throat out. The pregnancy of Imoinda is the first sign of violence which turns the act of slavery into war not just on the outside, but also on the inside; in the heart of man. Realization of reality is what changes the fate of all the enslaved, the people enslaving and those searching for the future. Violence is the question at stake. Is violence only being used as a display of masculinity and power or is violence detrimental at all times? In any act of violence it is inevitable that people will lose. They will also gain. Unfortunately, Oroonoko’s violence has caused three different groups to commit unspeakable acts. Each situation worsens and the end result, a sacrifice for freedom is resulted. When there is negativity, at some point, someone must realize that something needs to change. To be violent just to display masculinity can not be the essential reasoning for any act. Though, many times it has been seen as a surpressor. Violence is detrimental whether this means it is in the form of putting ones’ self on a stand to demonstrate superiority or proving a point. Both create change after the fact. Awareness brings people together. It was not until the sacrifice is made that people realize the wrongs they have done. Unfortunately, this means that one has to give their life of for a cause. Imoinda’s pregnancy, the issue that sparked the mass violence, is the turning point of this story. Without her pregnancy, Oroonoko was not able to see the value within his own heart. He was not able to see that he truly was noble, and was worthy of love, respect and care. He failed to see that it was not an issue of race that kept him down, it was an issue of mal-treatement and that he did not want to pass this thought process to his children. So he decided that enough was enough. That decision led to his own sacrifice, in the form of defeat. Violence can take on many different forms. One can look at violence as a for of revenge, hatred, and greed or one can see violence as a display of one’s power in the form of masculinity. The other perspective is that violence, in its own nature is detrimental; because in the end, someone will always lose. But what must we gain from acts of violence which end in a detrimental way? We must gain knowledge and awareness. Violence cannot be deemed valuable if it is to assert one’s power; in this case, masculinity. In this place, as we have seen in so many self-inflicted injuries throughout the story, violence has been detrimental, but to no fault of Oroonoko, only to the fault of a system that failed to treat him as something more than his own worth. Works Cited "Oroonoko; or, The Royal Slave." Library Thing. 29 May 2011 . Read More