I. Overview:
 According to Catherine Gallagher, George Warren's An Impartial Description of Surinam is frequently cited as a possible source for Oroonoko. Gallagher presents an excerpted text of Warren's to illustrate the possible use of his book in the writing of Oroonoko. The first excerpt describes the plantations of Surinam, of which there are about five hundred, and approximately fifty of these plantations are sugar plantations. Warren describes many of the crops that are grown and he discusses harvesting time and the size of crops. He also offers a picture of the African slaves and Indians of Suriname.

II. Analysis:
Warren's descriptive excerpts of the slaves and Indians allow a close comparison to Behn's, and provides vivid imagery of the conditions of their lives. Slaves are brought out of Africa and "sold like Dogs" (353), treated in the lowest regard during their long weeks of hard labor. Their accommodations consist of "hard Board, and their black Skins their Covering" (353). Individual slaves attempting to escape for freedom are punished publicly, in the midst of their fellow slaves, as a deterrent to the others. The slaves come from many nations and do not come together as a whole, nor do they practice religion. However, one thing they share in common is their belief in the Pythagorean Errour, wherein the soul transmigrates out of one body and into another, that when they die they return to their own Countries.

In addition, the Indians are described as cowardly and treacherous, living amongst the Cannibals, who outnumber all others. The indigenous lead a life close to nature, wearing nothing more than a flap for modesty, displaying "Their Skins […] of an Orange Tawny Colour, and their Hair black, without Curles" (354). They are said to be a happy people, the women are bashful in their beauty and noted as perfect. Their houses are thatched cottages with eves near to the ground and their household utensils and dressings are made from natural elements; they fashion tablecloths from leaves. They live according to a scriptural government, in which they establish Chiefs or heads of the family, and the women bear much, if not all, of the chores in complete submission and obedience to their husbands.

 The excerpts provided clearly demonstrate a parallelism to Aphra Behn's Oroonoko in regards to descriptions. Looking at Warren's vivid depiction of the indigenous and Behn's account, we can see that they are similar. As stated prior, Warren describes the Indians as having long black hair and a culture of physical beauty, as does Behn, "This Adornment, with their long black Hair […] makes 'em a wonderful Figure to behold. Some of the Beauties […] are very charming and novel" (39) Similarities are seen in the descriptions of their skin tone, personalities and their clever use of nature to provide themselves the necessary tools for everyday living. The comparison of this particular group of people clearly illustrates the probability that Warren's text on Surinam is a possible reference of Behn's writing of Oroonoko.

Questions:
1. Where else in Oroonoko do we see Warren's descriptions echoed? (86)
2. How does Warren's description of the blacks' unanimity to gain their freedom compare with Behn’s narrative?