Between Oroonoko and The Fair Jilt , I'm entirely puzzled by Aphra Behn as an author. In an entirely Swiftian manner, I simply cannot decipher if her writing is meant to be a commentary on unsatisfactory happenings or if she is actually racist and sexist. If you've read my previous blog on Behn, I further explained this situation in relation to The Fair Jilt and the different lenses it can be viewed through. Where Oroonoko is concerned, she could either be explaining the issue of the noble savage concept or genuinely have a type of savior complex by inserting herself into the narrative and humanizing a brutal story. I would be very interested to read different analyses of her works to see if there is an answer hiding in all of this.
This is how I believe Dr. Primrose from The Vicar of Wakefield would have reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year has by no means been agreeable for our family. My dearest children George, Olivia, and Sophia are quarantined in their respective homes and we are unable to see them. Lovely Arabella has unfortunately contracted the terrible virus, and she has been isolated so as not to affect the children. While I shall never wish ill will so serious as death upon another human, I am not entirely upset that Squire Thornhill has been affected as well; unlike Arabella, his situation looks to be quite possibly fatal. If the virus removes him from this world, my poor Olivia will be relieved of her current hardship of marriage. My two youngest are safe with my wife and I. While the hardships that we are enduring at present are quite difficult, I have no doubts that we shall escape this pandemic with a stronger appreciation for our vitalities and privileges. We shall overcome this yet!