Oroonoko's Heroic Voice In Surina Behn

Behn’s status as a female gives us better understanding of what it was like to be in a lower position than males. Behn takes advantage of her voice being heard and speaks with pronouns such as “I” that shows she takes part in the story. She observed and recorded Oroonoko’s life and states “I was my self an Eye-Witness to a great part” (Behn 8). In Surinam, Behn met Oroonoko and heard of his life before, then witnesses and hears of his life till his horrific death. “His misfortune was, to fall in an obscure World, that afforded only a Female Pen to celebrate his Fame” (Spencer 215). The story of Oroonoko couldn’t of been written by someone who understands it better than herself. She has “as much authority as a male writer and also with special

“Power instructed his Heart and Tongue in the Language of Love” (Behn 15). Imoninda displays the most heroic character in the story and this is shown through the narrator speaking of how great her importance is. Her beauty is endless and causes a “hundred White Men sighing after her, and making a thousand vows at her feet, all vain and unsuccessful” (Behn 14). All men wanted her including white men and these men were willing to beg for her. “She was Female to the noble Male; the beautiful Black Venus, to our young Mars” (Behn 14). Imoninda was so beautiful that she is described as a goddess who deserves a worthy and honorable man. Though her age or wrinkles should not change her beauty and “her soul wou’d be always fine, and always young” (Behn 15). Unfortunately, her power is limited unlike her beauty. Unlike many women during that time, Imoinda goes against the “norms” because she is not silent and is not under the complete control of male dominance. Therefore, she represents a “heroic” figure. There are two examples that show that her role is active and is based on her wants; while one example proves that she lives in a male dominated