Aphra Behn's Oroonoko.

[Robin555]

Having read many of the intelligent responses contained within these forums I'm hoping that there may be somebody out there who could help me with a literature essay I am currently writing.

The title of the essay I have chosen to tackle is regarding the restoration 'novel' Oroonoko by Aphra Behn and reads as follows:

"For Behn, neither race nor gender creates the category of the other and neither is as important as class, breeding and inherant nobility." (E.Smith)

Do you agree? Discuss the relationship between different sorts of power (e.g. sexual, colonial, literary / narrative, class) in Oroonoko.

Now, I certainly agree that Behn places places greater emphasis upon the preservation of the monarchy and the importance of adhering to will of the 'nobility' than any other social consideration and I intend to argue this in my essay.

I am also aware of the issues of race and gender in the 'novel' but when I contemplate E.Smiths assertation that "neither ... creates the category of the other." I simply don't understand what he means by this.

I have searched for this particular article by E.Smith so that I may be able to understand the context from which this quote is taken but have so far been unsuccessful.

Is there anybody out there who might be able to qualify the meaning of this quote? I do hope so!

Thanks


Robin

[LitNetIsGreat]

Hi Robin, are you studying at The University of Sheffield or at Hallam out of interest? I have looked at Behn before, a couple of times but I don't have much time at the moment (also have a banging headache and I want my tea) but I will get back to you.

I have not come across this Smith character but maybe the quotation has to do with narrator in Oroonoko seeing equality both in race and gender. She does not place people into categories of race or gender, something that was quite forward for 18th century writing. She also speaks of Oroonoko it very glowing terms speaks of his princely qualities and his noble birth many times in the opening part of the book.

Anyway I'll get back to you when I can think more clearly.

[PeterL]

I am of the opinion that Aphra Behn had little regard for social status, sex, or skin color. She clearly considered the innate nobility of people to be more important than synthetic values for people. I would contend that the whole story is about the greater importn=ance of innate virtues.

[Robin555]

Hi,

Thank you both very much for your prompt replies.

I agree with both of your posts, as you both quite rightly pointed out Behn portrays an innate nobility within the character of Oroonoko which I believe is intended to transcend race and gender and, if you believe the function of the author to be important, fits nicely with Behns supposedly vehement Royalist sensibilities.

Neely, your statement regarding the equality between the categories of race and gender has cleared up my confusion. Thank you.

P.S. I'm at Sheffield University, are you studying in Sheffield?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Hi,

Thank you both very much for your prompt replies.

I agree with both of your posts, as you both quite rightly pointed out Behn portrays an innate nobility within the character of Oroonoko which I believe is intended to transcend race and gender and, if you believe the function of the author to be important, fits nicely with Behns supposedly vehement Royalist sensibilities.

Neely, your statement regarding the equality between the categories of race and gender has cleared up my confusion. Thank you.

P.S. I'm at Sheffield University, are you studying in Sheffield?

Oh, no problem I don't know that much about Behn I have never done an essay on her, but I have studied Oroonoko and The Rover to a small extent. Yes I am studying part-time with TILL at Sheffield University, at least that is if I can sort out my funding issues - someone has screwed up and I have my annual "threatening to throw me of the course letter" if I don't sort it out within a couple of weeks, who knows??? Sorry, to rant I am just fed-up of the BS connected to funding.

Good luck with the essay.