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Oroonoko

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Oroonoko
"Is Life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death" Patrick Henry. Throughout the years, man insisted on inflecting injustice and oppression on the vulnerable and weak. The desire of man to dominate and control is continuous. In this novel the author illustrates a side of the injustice inflected on the world. Oroonoko is a short novel written by English author Aphra Behn. Aphra Behn 's novel Oroonoko is one of the earliest forms of literature that sheds the light on the matter of slavery taking many shapes throughout the novel. Oroonoko, a prince taking part in the trafficking of slaves that later on becomes a victim of this vile crime. He is given the lead role in her novel to be the protagonist fighting slavery by love, the love for his own freedom and the freedom of his beloved Imoinda. Fighting for the liberty of his people, his love, and his own. Early in the novel women are objectified. They are framed to be the objects of entertainment and luxury in favor of the king 's pleasures. Imoinda was of charm and beauty that attracted the old king. Therefore, he sent the royal veil resembling that this woman got the honor of becoming another mistress of the royal king, to entertain him and use for his own pleasures and lusts. The outcome of rejection of this so called honor is to be put to death. Imoinda against her will accepts this veil fearing for her life. The royal veil exploits as an object to enslave women. Imoinda, despite her acceptance of the royal veil, utterly refuses the king 's continuous endeavors to rape her. This indicates that women have the right to choose their spouses and not accept being an object of pleasure and lust. In addition to that, when Oroonoko finally encounters with his beloved Imoinda, the king considers her polluted, for it is a great crime in their customs and beliefs amongst them

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