Restoration-era poet, playwright and novelist Aphra Behn was the first truly professional woman writer in English, and Oroonoko is her sophisticated and insightful condemnation of slavery. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction by Janet Todd.
When Prince Oroonoko's passion for the virtuous Imoinda arouses the jealousy of his grandfather, the lovers are cast into slavery and transported from Africa to the colony of Surinam. Oroonoko's noble bearing soon wins the respect of his English captors, but his struggle for freedom brings about his destruction. Inspired by Aphra Behn's visit to Surinam, Oroonoko reflects the author's romantic view of native peoples as noble savages in 'the first state of innocence, before man knew how to sin'. The novel also reveals Behn's ambiguous attitude to African slavery - while she favoured it as a means to strengthen England's rule, her powerful and moving work conveys its injustice and brutality.
This new edition of Oroonoko is based on the first printed version of 1688, and includes a chronology, further reading and notes. In her introduction, Janet Todd examines Aphra Behn's views of slavery, colonization and politics, and her position as a professional woman writer in the Restoration.
Little is known of Aphra Behn's (1640-1689) early life. She was probably born in Kent, and in the early 1660s claims to have visited the British colony of Surinam. She turned to literature for a living, producing numerous short stories, 19 stage plays and political propaganda for the Tories.
If you enjoyed Oroonoko, you might like Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders, also available in Penguin Classics.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
'Excellent copy text and really outstanding collection of contextual material - and at a remarkably low price...Congratulations!' - Peter New, University of Exeter
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 3.20
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9780140439885
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 0140439889-11-31782610
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780140439885
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Brand New!. Seller Inventory # 0140439889
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Oroonoko 0.26. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780140439885
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 1673704-n
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0140439889xvz189zvxnew
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0140439889-new
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 0140439889
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # DADAX0140439889