In reading the middle of This Earth of Mankind, it seems as if Nyai is manipulating, or trying to manipulate Minke. He does not necessarily want to sleep over all the time, and she insists he does. She also insists in witnessing him and Anneliese sleep together. She makes he daughter Anneliese out to be very weak, so that the strong, smart, Minke can rescue her. This is causing Minke to not be able to focus on his schooling as much, and it seems as if he is becoming a father-like figure figure to Nyai's daughter. It is obvious that Nyai is manipulating Minke into being with her daughter.
In Chapter 15, Dr. Martinet and Minke discuss Anneliese emotional, psychological, as well as physical well being. Somehow the Doctor knows everything and Minke is overwhelmed by his intimate knowledge of Minke and Annelies’ relationship. The doctor knows about Minke's life in different aspects other than health, he says that, "in science humility is soemtimes needed" (253). The doctor starts telling Minke that Anneliese has fear of losing him, and that Minke is the only one who can make her believe he will not. If Minke does not do this, Anneliese may become anxious and it may affect her health in a negative way. This is a lot of pressure on Minke. Nyai wants Minke to be with her, and now if he does not it may cost her her health? He then starts asking Minke what room he sleeps in, and very personal questions about his relationship. The doctor then starts asking Minke who her first sexual encounter was with in "order to understand its influence upon her"(257). Minke is begining to budge but does not. It is suspicious that Nyai does not want Minke to go anywhere, is getting scared, and has the doctor talk to him after filling him in on most of their lifestyle at home. Dr. Martinet makes it very clear to Minke that Annliese's life is physically in his hands. Dr. Martinet is very clever and Minke admires his profession, but did Nyai put him up to his interrogation with Minke?
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You make a good point that the Dr. Martinet seems suspicious. He not only interrogates Minke about his personal life with Anneliese but he also makes sure that now Minke is responsible for her health as well. He is now her doctor and Anneliese is emotionally dependent upon Minke. Also, I do think that Nyai has a lot to do behind the scenes. Up till now she has never shown weakness and has control over everyone in the household. Even Darsam is especially loyal to her going to great lengths to save Minke from his supposed killer. In the end, I don't really blame her too much for her hardheartedness or even for some of her actions. She has lived her whole life as a Nayi and upon finding out that Mr. Mellema is married she did not even have the opportunity to have her children recognized. To some extent I thinks Nyai just does not wants Anneliese to have a better life than what she had, and not have to live her life in shame as herself, although her actions do seem pretty suspicious at times.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Nyai has a strong control over her surroundings. I also agree that Nyai just wants a better life for her daughter. It does seem a little suspicious that Dr. Martinet would say that the cure for Ann would be for Minke to come back to her. It doesn't make much sense, but maybe it is Nyai that persuaded Dr. Martinet to say these things for the sake of her daughter. For all we know, Ann is sick because of her sudden separation from Minke.
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