Kent-Drury

English 420

Oroonoko

Questions

1. What elements of romance and epic can you see in Oroonoko?

2. What elements of travel narrative can you see in Oroonoko?

3. Oroonoko describes three sets of peoples--white Europeans, Amerindians in Brazil, and Africans, both free and enslaved. How are these peoples depicted? What similarities and differences can you find in their appearances, manners, beliefs, reasoning powers, and education?

4. Is Oroonoko an anti-slavery document, or is it more about issues of innate nobility based upon class?

5. What is the role of the narrator in Oroonoko?

6. Pick out two scenes that you believe are important to the narrative. What is their function in the narrative? Why does the author set them up in this manner?

7. What happens to Oroonoko at the end of the story? Why do you think this scene is so violent?