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Noble savage refers to the group of uncivilized men and indigene outsiders who symbolize humanity without exposing themselves to the influences of corrupting civilization. John Dryden was the person to bring the phrase in English through his heroic play “The conquest of Granada”. It referred to “wild beast or wild man”. The phrase became renowned later for the idealized picture of ”nature's gentleman”.
Oroonoko being captured by the captain and sold to Trefry as a slave didn’t evoke a sense of revenge in him but instead he bids farewell and feels glad to know his true nature. This shows that Oroonoko is gentle and noble by heart. Oroonoko is not only valued by Trefry but also valued and admired by his people for his bravery and nobility. He is the role model to the rest of the slaves conveying his message that slaves can be noble without being free.
Oroonoko’s weakness is also portrayed at the end of the story where he experiences a weak moment thus portraying how the image of noble gets disrupted into a savage, under difficult circumstances when he killed his own love Imoinda. On the other hand, since he was young Oroonoko was a skilled warrior and later the General sacrifices his life to save Oroonoko. When Oroonoko was having hard time instead of helping, the Europeans show brutality and savagery. For instance the betrayal by his grandfather, the captivity of Imoinda, and his capture by the slaver captain. The final section describes Oroonoko's rebellion and its aftermath.
The native people are portrayed as having basic human virtues such as creative artistry and modesty. Despite being naked, there is never seen among them any improper behavior. They have basic survival skills which are lost by advanced technological societies. The African prince Oroonoko is a model of nobility and honour. He accepts the innate superiority of the European people and the European culture. The physical appearance itself was so noble. Oroonoko was an extraordinary even among his people because he was educated and taught manners by a French tutor. His great virtue might be attributed to his non-native education which reflects the narrator’s Eurocentric approach. The Europeans, regarded supreme by the world, happen to be more savage than this uncivilized race.They inflict inhuman torture upon the slaves and colonize their individuality. Thus, this portrays how Europeans superiority and noble savage are related.
In a nutshell, Oroonoko is exemplary idea of the noble savage. He is a man who is not afraid of any circumstances on his way and keeps a example to his people that a coloured man can present his nobility not only by legacy, but through personality and qualities too. But no matter how far sighted and intelligent he is, he cannot change the fact that he is a coloured man and a slave. Hence the truth that he killed Imoinda cannot be hidden. But this does not unveil the fact that he is coward but rather portrays that he had immense love for Imoinda and couldn’t see her honour being tainted by the colonizers. Hence, employing the idea of noble savage while reading the novel is justified for the several incidents in the plot help us comprehend that the idea works both ways. Whether it is plot, characterization or events: everywhere the concept is reflected.
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