Journal of Social and Political
Sciences
ISSN 2615-3718 (Online)
ISSN 2621-5675 (Print)
Published: 29 November 2021
Oroonoko: Post-colonialism, Kant and Todorov
Seren Boz Gökçen
Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey
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10.31014/aior.1991.04.04.321
Pages: 95-100
Keywords: Kant, The Noumenal World, The Phenomenal World, Todorov’s Scales, Oroonoko, Aphra Behn, Colonialism, Slavery, Being Other
Abstract
Postcolonial theory looks at history, and it links to culture, sociology, psychology, and even politics and law. This study aims to analyze Aphra Behn Oroonoko with respect to post-colonialism, in particular, investigation of the extent colonialism, slavery, and being other. Oroonoko displays literary fiction and reality at the same time; thus, Immanuel Kant’s concepts of the noumenal world and phenomenal world have significant meaning. It draws on these theories and worlds: while the phenomenal world is day-to-day life conditions, the noumenal world is impossible to experience. On the other hand, Tzvetan Todorov’s perspectives on stories and novels are different, and he puts them in scales such as fantastic, uncanny and marvelous. For Oroonoko, readers can decide the scales only if they are willing to understand Todorov’s aims. The aim of this study is to examine Kant's concepts of the noumenal world and the phenomenal world, and Todorov's scales, as well as colonialism, slavery and being other.
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