Author Description
'I value fame almost as much as if I had been born a hero'. (Preface to The Lucky Chance). Aphra Behn (1640-89) achieved both fame and notoriety in her own time, enjoying considerable success for her plays and for her short novel Oroonoko, the story of a noble slave who loves a princess. Acclaimed by Virginia Woolf as the first English woman to earn her living by the pen, Behn's achievements as a writer are now acknowledged less equivocally than in the seventeenth century. As well as Oroonoko, this volume contains five other works of fiction ranging from comedy and high melodrama to tragedy. The Fair Jilt, Memoirs of the Court of the King of Bantam, The History of the Nun, The Adventure of the Black Lady, and The Unfortunate Bride are complemented by a generous selection of her poetyr, ranging from public political verse to lyrics and witty conversation poems. This selection demonstrates Behn's range, as well as her wit, compassion, and interest in the question of identity and self-representation. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The collection centers on the complex interplay of power, identity, and social constraint within the turbulent landscape of the seventeenth century. Behn presents a series of narratives, most notably the account of an enslaved African prince, that challenge the moral and political hierarchies of her era. The protagonists navigate environments defined by rigid class structures, colonial expansion, and the volatile expectations of gender. Through a variety of narrative frameworks, including first-person accounts and dramatic prose, Behn explores the tension between personal agency and the external forces of societal judgment. The prose reflects the stylistic conventions of the Restoration period, utilizing wit and direct address to engage the reader in the moral dilemmas of the characters.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Exploration of colonial dynamics and the status of the enslaved.
- Use of dramatic irony to critique social hypocrisy.
- Integration of political commentary within romantic and tragic plots.
- Varied narrative structures ranging from epistolary elements to third-person historical accounts.
- Focus on the construction of identity and self-representation.
- Inclusion of diverse poetic forms including lyrics and political verse.
- Examination of the limitations placed upon women in seventeenth-century society.
- Stylistic shifts between high melodrama and comedic observation.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Discussion often centers on Behn's role as a pioneer for professional female writers in the English tradition. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the tragic intensity of her prose and the sharp, conversational wit found in her poetry. Critics often examine how these works reflect the shifting political and social values of the Restoration era. The collection is noted for its ability to balance entertainment with serious inquiries into human rights and personal autonomy. Scholars emphasize that these texts provide a window into the intellectual climate of the late seventeenth century.
Page Count:
321
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
ISBN-10:
0191509213
ISBN-13:
9780191509216
Poetry
Historical Fiction
English
Short Stories
Classic Literature
English & College Success
Restoration Literature
Colonial
Community Tags
More from Oxford World's Classics
