Task 7

 Synopsis of the novel

1. Title :

- Bumi Manusia ( Earth of Mankind )

2. Genre/Theme :

- Historical literature/historical fiction

3. Synopsis of the plot :

- Synopsis "Earth of Mankind" follows the life of Minke, a young nobleman in the Dutch East Indies at the beginning of the 20th century. Minke has an intellectual spirit and faces conflicts between different social classes. His relationship with Annelies, a Dutch girl, and his struggle against injustice and colonialism give a dramatic dimension to the story. This novel explores the conflict between local culture and colonial domination, and reflects the spirit of resistance to oppression.

4. Cast Of Charasters : 

- Annelies Mellema, is said to be a beautiful Indo-European woman. Son of Nyai Ontosoroh and Tuan Mellema. Basically, Annelies is a clever woman. He works in the family company, as a foreman for the workers in his company. However, she is also a weak woman and is very dependent on other people.

Since the first chapters, it has been described that way. Apart from being weak at heart, he is also described as physically weak. Of course, Annelies' physical weakness is due to her weak heart. When she separated from Minke, Annelies really missed him, so she fell ill. In fact, Annelies has a personal doctor.

Of course, Annelies' character like this is not without reason. The main reason, because of his own mother Nyai Ontosoroh and the bad things he experienced with his own older sibling; Robert Mellema.

In her second book, Children of All Nations, I hope Annelies has another side. Too bad, Grandpa Pram didn't give that hope.

- Nyai Ontosoroh, the term "Nyai" at that time for people who were concubines, or illegitimate wives. Usually, an invalid marriage was between a boss and his subordinate. Usually, they are also called "mistresses". Nyai Ontosoroh was a concubine, who was sold by her own father. However, she was an educated, knowledgeable Nyai-Nyai, even though she had not attended school at all.

His main school was his own life experience and that of Mr. Mellema. He learned to read and everything from Mr. Mellema, until finally, he was able to run his company alone, after Mr. Mellema lost his mind.

Nyai Ontosoroh's harshness is of course due to a grudge in the past. A past that he has not been able to forgive and accept. This had an effect on Annelies' psychology.

Minke, is a native young man who studied among Europeans. An educated person, who always wants to know many things. From his interactions with Annelies and her mother, Minke is the type of man who is good at encouraging a woman. When I read about how he was with Annelies, I immediately wondered why Iqbal was chosen to play Minke in the film Earth of Mankind.

Minke is not a man who is crazy about positions. It is recorded from his words to his mother that he wanted to be a free person. Even though he was the son of a prominent man. Many people want to have him as their son-in-law.

- Minke also likes writing. His writings were often published in newspapers under pseudonyms and in Dutch, not Malay or indigenous languages. This problem will appear in the second book.

5. Characters Personality : 

- Annelies is a nimble woman, However, she is also weak-hearted and physical weak woman, so she is bery dependent on other people.

- Nyai Ontosoroh, she is educated woman, knowledgeable nyai.

- Minke is educated person, who always wants to know many thing and he also really like writing.

6. Plot (Beginning story) : 

- In the initial plot of "Earth of Mankind," we are introduced to Minke, an intelligent young man from the gentry class at the beginning of the 20th century in the Dutch East Indies. The story begins with Minke who received a higher education and has a high intellectual spirit. He is in a relationship with Annelies, a Dutch girl, which brings major changes to his life. As time goes by, social class conflicts and cultural clashes become increasingly prominent in this story. Minke fought against injustice and explored the complex dynamics in colonial society at that time.

7. Plot (Conflict of story) :

- The main conflict in "Earth of Mankind" includes tensions between Minke and Dutch East Indies colonial society in the early 20th century. Minke, as an intelligent young man, tries to overcome social injustice and respond to cultural conflicts in the colonial system. Additionally, his relationship with Annelies, a Dutch girl, adds a complex dimension to the conflict, questioning the social norms of the time.

8. Plot (the story end) : 

- In the finale of "Earth of Mankind" Minke faces the dramatic consequences of social class conflict and resistance to the colonial system. Major changes occur in his personal life, and the story's conclusion provides a deep reflection on the social and political impact of the time, forming a new understanding of justice and freedom.

9. Moral Message :

- The moral message of " Earth of Mankind" includes the struggle against injustice and oppression, as well as reflections on the impact of culture and politics in colonial society. Through Minke's story, readers are invited to question social norms and explore the meaning of justice, freedom and human rights. This novel also provides a critical perspective on the influence of colonialism and the complexity of intercultural relations. Its message inspires ethical and moral considerations regarding social change and resistance to unjust systems.