Brief Summary And Analysis Of Oroonko's Oroonoko

1849 Words8 Pages

Oroonoko is a story of barbaric nature, of the undeveloped mind of the colonised people, limited understanding, lack of foresight and a useless satisfaction in getting fake respect by the friends slowly turning into enemies. For instance, Oroonoko’s grandfather (the present king) is an ancient man of 100 years and has plenty of old and young beautiful black wives. Of all the gallant sons he begot, none is left to life. Therefore, his immediate successor is his only grandson Oroonoko was given in teaching of one of the oldest generals of African wars when he was a teenager. Under the old general, Oroonoko becomes an expert fighter, ferocious conqueror and the ‘darling of the soldiers’. It so happens that during one of the battles, in the midst of the clouds of arrows, the old general, trying to save Oroonoko, bears a fatal wound of an arrow-shot in his eye and dies. Apparently, the victorious crown prince pays a respectable visit to the general’s only daughter Imoinda and as a homage to her deceased father, he gifts her with ‘one hundred and fifty slaves in …show more content…

he could but innocently play. (Oroonoko: The Royal Slave)
Before he confirms the extent of her beauty so as to call her to his private chamber he gets a courtier’s report that she is about to be betrothed to the prince Oroonoko. Wasting no time, when the prince has gone for hunting, he sends the royal veil to Imoinda – invites her to honour her with his bed and to secure her for his own private use – the refusal of which means death for any maiden. Thus a pleading, tearful and wishing to resist Imoinda makes herself to suffer and to receive the caresses of the old king as he leads her into the richly prepared bath that he has ordered for this ‘longed-for

Open Document