Constructed Response
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Question One
If I were a reader from the 17th century, I would have interpreted racism as an effective basis of abolition because it is evident that Behn intended to bring to the world’s attention the immoral strand of slavery. Behn wrote about Oroonko at a time when female writers were not recognized and respected. She resulted in using both the first and third-person narrator in her novel to make an adaption to her storyline so that her audience can take it seriously. Worth noting, she tried to make the story seem as if it was a true story by making it seem like it was based on her time and experiences she had encountered in the slave colonies in America. Although the story is a work of fiction, she made it seem realistic which served to further engage the intention of the readers. It also enabled the readers to resonate more with the mistreatment of slaves. Generally, it should be noted that the historical content we take from the texts that are formed should not be viewed as a fact. Just like other authors, Behn intended to create a valuable and eye-catching piece that also spreads the message of the effects of racism to the world.
Question Two
John Steadman’s Narrative of the Revolted Negros
In my opinion, John Steadman’s narrative of the Revolted Negros should be taught in college as a way of giving students an understanding of vile racism is and how slavery was like in the 17th century. Although the author of the book did not denounce slavery, the experiences he narrates can be used to change the mindset about racism and the black lives matter that is there today. If students get a one-on-one understanding of Stedman’s experiences as a Surinam English officer, social change can begin to take root and racial segregation can finally be an issue of the past. Stedman’s narrative uses gruesome descriptions of mutilation and torture of African slaves to arouse compassion from the reader. Additionally, he uses scenes of abuse of slaves and depictions of torture that are rather graphic. The author uses images of pornography and sublime notions which create the perfect ground for empathy for the readers. The narrative describes the brutal and violent treatment of enslaved Africans and individuals of African descent. If the book is taught in college, it can be used as a campaign for racial equality.
Question Three
Daniel Defoe-Roxana Novel
In my viewpoint, Roxana by Daniel Defoe is a novel that is of relevance today because it addresses the challenges that women face in their day-to-day life including the transactional nature of sex and economic immorality and hardships. Predominantly, the narrative follows how economic hardships made Roxana do things that she would otherwise not have done. She was married many times and the reason for getting into these marriages was to escape problems. After her first husband abandons her together with her five children, she ends up getting married to the landlord after he offers her food, money and promises her seven thousand pounds. Although Roxana is hell-bent on retaining her independence, she agrees to be his lover and to live as husband and wife. Notably, the narrative points to how sex is used as a transaction with women being forced to trade her value for sex. Roxanna is engaged in a series of sex affairs with her only purpose being securing financial stability and domestic equality. For her, it is not about love as it is not part of the equation. Women today, also go through similar encounters where they are forced to sell sex to sustain themselves.
Question Four
Early Eighteenth-Century Satire
Comparing a Johnathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal and The Rape of the Lock by Alexander
Satire refers to the use of ridicule, irony, humor, and exaggeration to expose and criticize the stupidity and vices of people in a contemporary political perspective or any other topical issue. In A Modest Proposal, Swift uses various forms of satire to create humor and make fun. For instance, makes fun of children and people of Ireland insinuating that children are a delicious food that should be eaten. This followed a famine in the early 1700s that was experienced in Ireland. Swift proposes a solution that families that are poor should sell their newborns as food to rich families. He explains that it would logical because it would make money and would mean fewer mouths to feed and at the same time rich families would be getting food rich in protein. In The Rape of The Lock, the author satirizes society in general in a way that is relevant in today’s world. The poem is a satire based on feminine frivolity. Pope introduces the readers to the various female errors. He satirizes the idleness of the aristocratic woman Belinda. The poet ridicules the excessive attention of self-decoration and embellishment of women in a satirical passage.
Question Five
All three works; “Roxanna” by Daniel Defoe, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olauduh Equiano” by Olauduh Equiano, and “Oroonoka” by Aphra Ben, all employ use of literary works such as metaphors, similes, and exaggeration to push their agendas. In Roxanna, the author uses the metaphor ‘what lethargic fumes dozed the soul’. Roxana is questioning her intellectual lapse and this figurative language comes into play violating its literal meaning. In this case, ‘lethargic fumes’ is an 18th-century synonym that means brain fog while ‘soul’ refers to the means of self-realization. The metaphor points to the fact that Roxana could not understand why she could not think clearly. In “Oroonoka” by Aphra Ben, the white female author attempts to tell the story in the most realistic manner. She uses imagery to talk about Oroonoko’s physical appearance. When she meets Oroonoko, she describes his appearance using vivid diction and employs words such as ‘no grace wanting’, ‘polished jett’, and ‘nobly and exactly form’d’ to show the majestic appearance of Oronooko. Further, in the passage, Behn uses similes to describe his teeth. Behn writes “white as snow”. Further, she makes use of hyperbole; ‘nobly and exactly form’d’. The extreme exaggeration was meant to show the reader that Oroonoko was agreeably handsome and that nothing could be more beautiful. The metaphors and similes provide clarity about the Oroonoko’s physical appearance as well as exaggerating his grandeur. Additionally, in “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olauduh Equiano” by Olauduh Equiano, the author uses methaphors; He writes “But is not the slave trade entirely a war with the heart of man? And surely that which is begun by breaking down the barriers of virtue involves in its continuance destruction to every principle, and buries all sentiments in ruin!”. The purpose of this narrative is to give a conclusive indictment of the slave trade thereby compelling the government to abolish it.
Question Six
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Paradise Lost by John Milton is a notable literature work because of the author’s use of themes including disobedience and revolt, love and marriage, free will and predestination, hierarchy and order, and sin and disobedience to reflect his religious viewpoints at the time in which he lived. Paradise lost follows the rebellion of Satan’s angels and the fall of humanity. The entire plot revolves around the acts of revolution against God’s universe. Failure comes in when Satan is jealous because God honors the son more highly. The narrative is a dramatization of the story of how sin originally entered the world. For Milton, sin is anything that goes contrary to God’s law including acts that harm other people. Milton portrays how man fell in heaven which describes the universal order and hierarchy where Earth is below, and Heaven is above pointing to hierarchy and order. It also points to the existence of chaos and hell. Additionally, the narrative brings out the theme of love and marriage as evidenced by the fact that love is an attribute that God demonstrates. Heavenly love takes center stage throughout the poem as the angels worship God without ceasing and they communicate joy with each other. The theme of love is also evident in that act of God the son, offering himself as a sacrifice to show his love for humankind. The poem shifts its focus to the idea of marriage and love from the story of how Adam and Eve were created. Freewill and Predestination are depicted in how Milton insists that God has foreseen how man will fall yet he still did not influence the free will of Adam and Eve. Milton believes in the existence of a God who sees everything and at all times; he is even able to foresee what will happen in the future. God specifically notes that he gives his creations the option of serving him or disobeying him because he wants people to obey him out of their free will and not because they are being forced.
