Week 4- Oroonoko

When reading Oroonoko, I couldn't help but notice the obvious racism in Aphra Behn's description of Oroonoko. Considering its a 'traveling narrative' to be read almost exclusively by Europeans, it makes some sense that Behn would describe Oroonoko in more European terms for their understanding, but the superior undertone of her writing is still there. In particular, when she speaks of his coloring (which is not "brown rust black" as the rest of his nation tend to possess, nor is his nose flat or his lips great and turned) she does so in a way that makes it superior from the rest of the his country. This sets him apart in a way to make him seem more noble, but also in a way that makes him more pleasing to Behn's audience. Instead of African, he has fine roman features, making him attractive and thus insinuating that those lacking his features lack his attractiveness as well. She also makes a clear point to mention every feature that she designates as attractive or fine are contrary to the rest of the African population. It just seems to show the casualty in which prejudice permeated throughout the society, weaved into simple written works. It speaks to this sentiment as being commonplace, although it does seem to lack any real malice. The prejudice is there, but it doesn't seem to hold more than a distasteful feeling rather than a true feeling of supremacy.