Abstract

Oroonoko is enormously important as has been considered as it is the first example of English novel form and Aphra Behn’s another attempt of feminism work. The humanity and feminism consciousness which are both embodied in Oroonoko reflects the author’s humanity and feminism outlook of literature and art which connect male, female and human all together.

This thesis analyzes human and females in the novel. The former one is an object concerns to the system of slavery, while the latter one is under the oppression of man in a male dominated society. Considering these two elements of oppression, female salves who are not only a female but also a slave suffers double oppressions. Then the appeal to help relieve this kind of oppressions is highly needed. A conclusion that human paternalism and male centralism are the resource of human and female crisis is made at last.

Keyword: humanity; feminism; oppression; male; female; human

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter 1 Introduction 

1.1 Literature Review 7

1.2 Aphra Behn and Oroonoko...8

1.3 Thesis Statement and Research Questions...9

1.4 Thesis Structure9

 Chapter 2 Humanity in Oroonoko

2.1 Humanity in Colonist and Slaves.11

2.2 Humanity in Rebellion and Treachery..11

 Chapter 3 Feminism in Oroonoko

3.1 The State of Female.13

3.2 The Rebellions of Female13

3.2.1 The Narrator: a Beholder and a Feminist14

3.2.2 Imoinda: a Controversial Pursuer to Freedom15

3.3 Aphra Behn’s Feminist Approach16

 Chapter 4 Feminism and Humanity in Oroonoko

4.1 The Relationships between Male, Female and Human18

4.1.1 Male and Female: Oroonoko and Imoinda......18

4.1.2 Male, Female and Human: Double Oppression...18

4.2 An Appeal to a Harmonious Society.19

 Chapter 5 Conclusion ..20

 References......21