In the story Oroonoko, by Aphra Behn, many intense issues are portrayed. These issues include an ideal society, the notion of power over love, loyalty, slavery, and even heroism. When reading this story, one can draw many conclusions about these issues. What was the basic theme behind the story? Why did Behn portray these issues in such a way that made them so open for different interpretations? We will never know these answers first hand. All we can do is continue to analyze the story and find the answers on an individual basis.
             First of all I would like to discuss the issue of an ideal society. What is an ideal society? Is it something that is written in stone? Is it something attainable or is it merely an ideal? Literature often deals with the notion of a perfect world. This too is present in Oroonoko. This perfect portrayal of the world seemed to be a bit evident in the beginning of the story but it is soon shattered. There are many "illusions to a pure world but the characters are too problematic," as stated in a critical review of the story (Woodcock, 137). Even in the main character Oroonoko there are problems. First of all, he is a man of color but he is treated with some equality among the whites. This seems like an early notion of equality but one must keep in mind that Oroonoko did not look like a man of color. "His face was not of brown rusty Black which most of that Nation are, but a perfect Ebony, or polished Jet. His Eyes were the most aweful that could be seen, and very pier!
             cing; the White of 'em being like Snow, as were his Teeth. His nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and flat," as stated in the story (Behn, 136). This seems to destruct the notion of equality because he looks like a white man. There are other flaws within the characters but they shall be discussed under different concepts.
             The second thing that must be discussed is the notion of pow...