Inkle and Yarico, an Abolitionist's
Opera
By George Colman the Younger
The story of Inkle and Yarico, a English merchant and a Native American maiden, was first introduced to Great Britain by Robert Steele in The Spectator, No. 11. The British took hold of the sad story of Yarico and other versions began to pop-up over the 18th century and later. George Colman was the first to publish the story as an opera, which gained great appreciation among all of Europe. It was viewed as an abolitionist commentary, especially since Colman changed the ending. Please follow the below link to the text of Richard Steele's Inkle and Yarico:
Richard Steele's Inkle and Yarico
As evident in Steele's telling of the story, there were many different perceptions of the New World, woman and slavery in Great Britain. The New World was seen as a savage place with savage people, but at the same time this barbaric land was capable of love and affection. The views on women expressed here showed how they were still given very little respect, and treated like objects instead of people, especially women who were not British. The story also portrays slavery in a negative light, which was why it was so popular during the time of abolition in the British isles. Once the story was turned into an opera it was more widely viewed and more capable of acting as a catalyst for change. Important to note is the change in ending from the original story in the opera. In the original Yarico is left enslaved while in the opera true love prevails and Inkle takes her out of oppression. The story is still popular today, and the opera still tours theaters around the world. But the question still remains, why did this story become so popular and why did so many British empathize with Yarico? What did this say about the attitudes towards the New World at that time?
For more information about the opera, click here.
