Restoration & Early 18th Century

Question 1

The Bill of Rights is one of the contextual backgrounds from both Oroonoko (1688) and Robinson Crusoe (1714). What did the Bill of Rights constitute? How does it perhaps influence the reading of the texts?

Answer 1

• limitation of royal power; elections to parliament free –> no interference by royals
• prohibited Catholics from ascending throne
• Oroonoko: highlights contradiction between promotion of freedom and colonial oppression
• Robinson Crusoe: embodies British reflecting values of hard work

Question 2

What is the basic concept behind the Triangular Trade?

Answer 2

• exchange of goods, resources and enslaved people between Europe/Africa/US
• Europe: goods (guns etc.) -> Africa
• Africa: slaves -> US
• US: raw materials -> Europe

Question 3

What does hypercanonicity mean? And why are “Oroonoko” and “Robinson Crusoe” considered hyper canonised?

Answer 3

–> high level of recognition, influence and critical attention
Oroonoko: one of the first to address slavery, early critique of imperialism
Crusoe: earliest English novels, realistic fiction, colonial/economic themes

Question 4

What is the setting of Oroonoko?

Answer 4

• reflects 1663, parts of the world under British control
• depicts good relationship between coloniser and native population

Question 5

What is the narrative perspective of Oroonoko? What does it achieve?

Answer 5

• partly real, partly fictional
• authentically written in 1st pers. narration

Question 6

How is Oroonoko portrayed? What does that reveal to us about the text

Answer 6

• civilised, handsome, heroic
• attracts admiration
• speaks French and English

Question 7

Why is Oroonoko treated differently when he arrives in Surinam?

Answer 7

• royal status, physical appearance
  –> English colonists recognise his nobility and treat him with a bit of respect
  –> European features and manners

Question 8

How is race handled in “Oroonoko”?

Answer 8

• mix of admiration and stereotyping
  –> Oroonoko as an exception but doesn’t fully change/challenge the colonial system that subjugates him

Question 9

Why does Behn (author of “Oroonoko”) accentuate her position as a female writer?

Answer 9

• firsthand experience (legitimate)
• challenge gender norms
• connect with female readers

Question 10

What is the narrative perspective in Robinson Crusoe? What genres do we see in the text?

Answer 10

1st person narrator -> older, wiser Robinson looking back

The text combines several genres:

• Adventure: Crusoe’s survival on the island and his explorations.
• Travelogue: Descriptions of foreign lands and experiences.
• Spiritual autobiography: Crusoe’s journey of repentance and faith.
• Realist fiction: Focus on practical details and everyday survival.

Question 11

What is the relationship of Robinson and Xury like?

Answer 11

• meet during a perilous time in their lives
  –> escaped together; Robinson saved him from pirates, later sells him

Question 12

What is the “middle-state” Mr. Robinson refers to? What is Robinson’s perspective on this state of being?

Answer 12

• middle class
  –> best class according to Robinson; no hard work and not too much * responsibility
  –> Robinson wanted to be richer, not content

Question 13

Robinson repeatedly talks about “Providence”. What steps belong to this repeated process? How does it work applied to an example?

Answer 13

• recognises his past sins
  –> shipwreck because of disobedience
• reflects on situation and prays forgiveness
  –> survival as part of God’s greater plan
• continues to work hard
  hardships –> relies on faith

Example: After surviving the shipwreck, Crusoe sees it as Providence sparing him, leading him to reflect on his sins and rely on faith while building his life on the island.

Question 14

How do “Oroonoko” and “Robinson Crusoe” view slavery? Is this a colonial or anticolonial discourse?

Answer 14

• both largely reflect colonial discourse
• Oroonoko presents elements of critique
• Neither fully challenges the institution of slavery

Question 15

Can you draw any connections or developments between these two eras (“Oroonoko” and “Robinson Crusoe”) in literature, culture…?

Answer 15

• Oroonoko: critiques moral corruption of colonialism by emphasizing the betrayal (Oroonoko is deceived by European traders who capture him after inviting him on board their ship under the pretext of friendship and a feast.)
  → late Reformation Era
• Robinson: normalizes slavery as practical or necessary part of empire-building –> imperial expansion
  → Enlightenment Era