"Oroonoko" is a work of fiction by Aphra Behn, published in 1688. The piece focuses on the life of an African king's grandson, Prince Oroonoko who demonstrates several similarities to Jesus Christ. In fact, many believe that the story of "Oroonoko" is a retelling of the biblical scriptures - particularly the crucifixion of Christ - based on events of the Surinam native culture. This theory has stirred controversial discussions between scholars and literary figures, debating the basis for Oroonoko's character and the similarities he has with the Jesus of the Bible. Like Jesus, Oroonoko, as an honorable and legitimate prince, is deprived of his rightful class position, and is worthy of a better fate than the one which befalls him. .
The fundamental comparison is that Oroonoko is an African prince who was sent away to a slave, much like Jesus was God's beloved Son who was sent to live among the ruins of mankind. Upon arriving at the plantation, Oroonoko was immediately seen by the slaves as a king and they soon began to worship him (Behn, p. 941). This is similar to Jesus's and his followers who followed him, wholeheartedly, on his ministerial journey through Galilee. .
At Oroonoko's arrival to Surinam, the setting is described in a way similar to the biblical Garden of Eden as revealed in the Book of Genesis: "It affords all things both for beauty and use; there was an eternal spring, in always the very months of April, May and June; the shades are everlasting, the trees beating at once all degrees for leaves and fruit, from blooming buds to ripe autumn; groves of oranges, lemons, citrons, figs, nutmegs, and noble aromatics, constantly bearing their fragrances." (Behn, p. 1129) Behn's depiction of Surinam as a good and holy place, reinforces the ideology that Oroonoko's tale was a reconstruction of Christian scripture. The exotic setting represents an ideal world, exemplifying the theory that the Western culture was superior to that of the Surinam natives.
