The Views on English Colonization on Slavery:
Aphra Behn and Frederick Douglas
The colonization of the Europeans in America made a huge impact in 1600s when they came to America and founded Jamestown in 1607. With the English now in America, they began to implement their own culture and ideas in a variety of ways. One of these ways included the introduction of slavery as a need for labor; primarily plantation and agricultural labor. Life for African Americans and slaves was not pleasant. They were treated inhumanely, uneducated by default, and belittled as humans. Two predominant writers of the 17th century, Aphra Behn and former slave Frederick Douglass, write their own stories in an attempt …show more content…
Aphra Behn highlights the views of slaves and Europeans in another way by introducing to her readers Oroonoko, an African American prince who was, unlike many African Americans at the time, a civilized and educated man. Being well-educated set Oroonoko apart from all of the other African Americans. He was given an opportunity and respect above all others due to his status. While Behn sheds light on the savagery of slavery and depicts many of the white colonists as being greedy, cruel, and dishonest, she also is able to depict the concept of an African American being well-educated, just like the Europeans, emphasizing the idea that with education comes opportunity. African Americans have the capability of becoming educated and well-mannered, it all comes down to opportunity. In her story, Behn writes how when Oroonoko was proclaimed General, he “learn’d so much Humanity...he got that read Greatness of Soul.” She gives this credit to a French-Man who was able to teach Oroonoko “Morals, Language and Science” (pg. 204). Behn is emphasizing opportunity that was given to Oroonoko, which in turn gave much way to his capabilities and
Aphra Behn and Frederick Douglas
The colonization of the Europeans in America made a huge impact in 1600s when they came to America and founded Jamestown in 1607. With the English now in America, they began to implement their own culture and ideas in a variety of ways. One of these ways included the introduction of slavery as a need for labor; primarily plantation and agricultural labor. Life for African Americans and slaves was not pleasant. They were treated inhumanely, uneducated by default, and belittled as humans. Two predominant writers of the 17th century, Aphra Behn and former slave Frederick Douglass, write their own stories in an attempt …show more content…
Aphra Behn highlights the views of slaves and Europeans in another way by introducing to her readers Oroonoko, an African American prince who was, unlike many African Americans at the time, a civilized and educated man. Being well-educated set Oroonoko apart from all of the other African Americans. He was given an opportunity and respect above all others due to his status. While Behn sheds light on the savagery of slavery and depicts many of the white colonists as being greedy, cruel, and dishonest, she also is able to depict the concept of an African American being well-educated, just like the Europeans, emphasizing the idea that with education comes opportunity. African Americans have the capability of becoming educated and well-mannered, it all comes down to opportunity. In her story, Behn writes how when Oroonoko was proclaimed General, he “learn’d so much Humanity...he got that read Greatness of Soul.” She gives this credit to a French-Man who was able to teach Oroonoko “Morals, Language and Science” (pg. 204). Behn is emphasizing opportunity that was given to Oroonoko, which in turn gave much way to his capabilities and