Oroonoko

     Oroonoko, by Aphra Behn, was an extremely educating as well as entertaining story. Oroonoko was a well respected African Prince that was tricked into slavery. Despite being fooled, Oroonoko was not someone that allowed others to push him around. Therefore, he began his rebellion by starving himself on the boat and eventually made a compromise with the Captain, then as time went on, Oroonoko, who at the time his slave name was Caesar, led the slaves to a rebellion. Prior to this rebellion, Oroonoko was given far more privileges over the other slaves, such as venturing beyond the plantation with his unknown spy, Aphra Behn. Towards the end of the novel, Oroonoko had gotten Imoinda, his long lost love, pregnant. Oroonoko and his mistress decided they were not comfortable birthing a child into slavery, so they planned a rebellion. Oroonoko courageously faced the men in power on his own, as most of his fellow slaves retreated in fear of being whipped. Despite losing the battle and killing Imoinda as a way to save her, Oroonoko still committed a heroic act, regardless of how others on the plantation felt. Upon being brought back to the plantation, Oroonoko had to show one more courageous act. The plantation, including the other slaves that initially helped the rebellion, whipped and cut him to pieces. However, during the excruciating process, the heroic slave was sure to continue smoking his pipe and acting unfazed, until he physically could not anymore. This decision shows Oroonoko's belief in dying for something he holds pride in, which I found to be very inspirational. 

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