Oroonoko by Aphra Behn

I was interested in the writer Aphra Behn reflects the view of pro-monarchy and a woman’s role in society throughout the 18th century. For example, Imoinda become one of the King wives even though she is reluctant. (1:21-1:50) As a woman living in the 21st century, it is difficult for me to understand Why marry a person you don’t like?

“The king, enraged at this delay, hastily demanded the name of the bold man that had married a woman of her degree without his consent. Imoinda, seeing his eyes fierce, and his hands tremble, whether with a age or anger, I know not, but she fancied the last, almost repented she had said so much, for now she feared the storm would fall on the prince; she therefore said a thousand things to appease the raging of his flame, and to prepare him to hear who it was with calmness; but before she spoke, he imagined who she meant, but would not seem to do so, but commanded her to lay aside her mantle and suffer herself to receive his caresses; or, by his gods, he swore, that happy man whom she was going to name should die, though it were even Oroonoko himself. ‘Therefore,’ said he, ‘deny this marriage, and swear thyself a maid.’ ‘That,’ replied Imoinda, ‘by all our powers I do, for I am not yet known to my husband.’ ‘Tis enough,’ said the king, ’tis enough to satisfy both my conscience, and my heart.’ And rising from his seat, he went and led her into the bath, it being in vain for her to resist.”

From the book, it is even more obvious that the level consciousness is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The upper layer imposes absolute domination on the lower layer, and women’s status is lower than that of men. It is precisely because there was inequality at that time, there is now equality. In fact, It’s not really all person are equal until today. Racial discrimination events often occur in certain places, and there is even a growing trend. The status of women in some parts of the world is still very low.