Oroonoko, one of the earliest English novels, tells the tragic tale of an African prince enslaved in the European colony of Surinam. Noble and courageous, Oroonoko is captured through deceit and sold into bondage, where he endures the brutal realities of slavery while clinging to his dignity and love for the beautiful slave Imoinda. Behn’s narrative blends romance, political critique, and early abolitionist sentiment, offering both admiration for her hero and a complex portrayal of colonial power. A poignant and controversial work, it remains a landmark in literature for its exploration of race, honor, and human rights in the 17th-century world.
