Introduction → Cheating and Selling → Loss of Freedom → Whipping → Cruel Death → Conclusion
Aphra Behn's Oroonoko shows the horrors of slavery. A noble African prince is cheated and sold like goods. Through his story, Behn shows the cruelty of the white colonists. She also shows how slavery destroys honour and love. The novel makes readers feel deep pity for the slaves.
(বাংলায়: ওরুনোকো উপন্যাসে বেন দাসপ্রথার ভয়াবহতা দেখিয়েছেন। একজন মহৎ রাজকুমারকে ঠকিয়ে পণ্যের মতো বিক্রি করা হয়।)
An English captain tricks Oroonoko. He invites the prince and his friends to dine on his ship. Then his men chain them. Oroonoko trusted the captain because he thought Christians keep their word. He is carried to Surinam and sold. Slaves are bought and sold for money, like animals. This shows the greed of the slave traders.
(বাংলায়: ইংরেজ ক্যাপ্টেন ওরুনোকোকে ঠকিয়ে জাহাজে বন্দী করে এবং সুরিনামে বিক্রি করে।)
In Surinam, the slaves lose their names. Oroonoko becomes Caesar and Imoinda becomes Clemene. They lose their homes, their families and their freedom. They must work hard on the plantation. Trefry is kind to Oroonoko. Yet Oroonoko is still a slave, and he cannot go home. A proud prince must now obey masters.
(বাংলায়: দাসদের নাম, ঘর ও স্বাধীনতা কেড়ে নেওয়া হয়। দয়ালু মনিব থাকলেও ওরুনোকো দাসই থাকে।)
After the revolt, Byam promises to forgive the slaves. Oroonoko trusts him and surrenders. Then Byam breaks his promise. Oroonoko and Tuscan are tied to posts and whipped cruelly. Oroonoko feels his honour is destroyed. Behn shows the lies and cruelty of the white men. For Oroonoko, this shame is worse than death.
(বাংলায়: বায়াম প্রতিশ্রুতি ভেঙে ওরুনোকো ও টাস্কানকে নির্মমভাবে বেত মারে। এটি শ্বেতাঙ্গদের মিথ্যা ও নিষ্ঠুরতা দেখায়।)
Oroonoko kills Imoinda to save her from shame. Later, Banister cuts Oroonoko into pieces while he smokes a pipe. The colonists watch this cruel death. Oroonoko does not cry out. His brave silence shows his noble spirit. It also shows how cruel slavery really is.
(বাংলায়: ওরুনোকোকে টুকরো টুকরো করে হত্যা করা হয়। তার সাহসী মৃত্যু দাসপ্রথার নিষ্ঠুরতা প্রকাশ করে।)
So Behn presents slavery as cruel and unjust. Even a noble prince is cheated, whipped and killed. The novel shows the greed and lies of the colonists. It makes readers feel pity for the slaves and anger at their masters. This is why the book is read as an early protest against slavery.
(বাংলায়: বেন দাসপ্রথাকে নিষ্ঠুর ও অন্যায় হিসেবে দেখিয়েছেন। পাঠক দাসদের জন্য করুণা অনুভব করে।)
| C | Cheating and selling | ঠকিয়ে বিক্রি |
| L | Loss of freedom | স্বাধীনতা হারানো |
| W | Whipping | বেত্রাঘাত |
| K | Killing (cruel death) | নির্মম মৃত্যু |
Must mention: captain's trick, Byam's broken promise, whipping, and Oroonoko's death. Easy words: greed, cruelty, betrayal, dignity. Link slavery with colonialism: white men take freedom for money.
Source: NU Guide · nuguidebd.com · #q-4605