RAINBOW

Volume 1 Number 1, January 2012: Page 58 - 69

Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Meta Kurnia Sari

ABSTRACT This study aims to observe the Materialism among the main characters in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Black Tulip. In the research process, the writer finds the data by reading books which related to the topic as well as the through the internet. This study basically adopts “Dynamic Structuralism” which includes three elements; the reader, the work, and the reality. The method of research is conducted through library research, with The Black Tulip as the primary data, and the references that support the analysis as the secondary data. The result of this study shows that the materialism exists in everyone. People need money in order to support their life. Money is indeed important and it is employed as the parameter of success in some aspects of life. However, the level of materialism in every single person is different. This paper shows how significant a black tulip is for certain main characters, including the ways they treat it. It is also the symbol of sadness in the Netherlands in 1672-1673 which was identical with the dark age. Besides, it is also as the symbol of Rosa, the prison keeper daughter who helps Van Baerle in revealing the truth over the black tulip.

Keywords: materialism, the Netherlands, black tulip, money, Van Baerle.

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini berutujuan untuk menelaah materialism pada tokoh utama yang terdapat pada novel Alexandre Dumas yang berjudul The Black Tulip. Pada proses penelitian, penulis mengumpulkan data dengan membaca buku-buku yang berhubungan dengan topik dan juga melalui internet. Penelitian ini pada dasarnya mengadopsi teori “Dynamic Structrturalism” yang meliputi empat unsur; pembaca, karya, dan kenyataan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan ialah penelitian pustaka, dengan novel The Black Tulip sebagai sumber data utama, dan beberapa referensi yang mendukung analisis sebagai data sekunder. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa sifat materialisme terdapat pada setiap orang. Manusia membutuhkan uang untuk mendukung kehidupannya. Uang pada dasarnya penting dan digunakan se- bagai tolok ukur kesuksesan dalam beberapa aspek kehidpan. Bagaimanapun juga, tingkat sifat materi- alisme pada setiap orang berbeda-beda. Penelitian ini menunjukkan betapa pentingnya setangkai bunga tulip tulip hitam untuk beberapa tokoh utama, termasuk cara mereka memperlakukannya. Tulip hitam juga sebagai simbol kesedihan di negara Belanda pada tahun 1672-1673 yang identik dengan tahun kegelapan. Selain itu, tulip hitam juga merupakan simbol Rosa, anak penjaga penjara yang membantu Van Baerle dalam mengungkap kebenaran bunga tulip hitam.

Kata kunci: materialisme, Belanda, tulip hitam, uang, Van Baerle.

58 Meta Kurnia Sari - Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Introduction of the characters in pursuing material things, Certain people express their ideas at the same time as Dumas also depicts an through literature. “Literature is a social insti- exact era of that historical era perfectly that tution, using as its medium language, a social is in 1672 and 1673. He criticizes certain poli- creation. Such traditional literary devices as ticians and other Dutch people in 1672 and symbolism and metre are social in their very 1673 throughout the novel, for example, the nature” (Warren and Wellek, 194). There are murder of Cornelius and John De Witte in some literary works that reflect the society at 1672. His judgment toward what is wrong and a particular period of time. Many authors have what is right is clear as well in the novel. written certain works related to the history of In addition, there are some parts of the a particular place or country as well. Alexan- novel which are interesting to be analyzed dre Dumas is one of the authors who wrote a further, such as the symbol of a black tulip reflection of a particular society in the Nether- which is mentioned behind the love story. Be- lands in the form of a novel entitled The Black sides, the writer of this paper considers that Tulip. analyses of Dumas’ The Black Tulip are rare Besides The Black Tulip other novels of since it was written in French while the set- his novels include The Count of Monte Cristo ting is in the Netherlands in 1672 to 1673. and The Three Musketeers. “The Black Tu- The writer of this paper finds it challenging to lip is originally published in three volumes in deal with this particular work because some 1850 as La Tulipe Noire by Baudry (Paris)”. of the events described in it happened in real (http://www.answer.com/topic/the-black-tu- life in 1672 and 1673. However, since it has lip). Through The Black Tulip, Alexandre Du- been translated into English and it has to do mas tells the readers about romance, history with European studies and history, the writer as well as materialism. He mixes these three considers that The Black Tulip by Alexandre components in order to create such a great Dumas needs to be analyzed further in order novel which tells the readers a story. The his- to open up the horizon of Indonesian under- torical background is the Netherlands around standing on European cultures, history, and 1672 and 1673, while the love story is be- studies. tween Rosa, the prison keeper’s daughter and The primary objectives of this study are: Cornelius Van Baerle, the tulip fancier who is • To examine the materialism in The imprisoned. In this novel, the main characters Black Tulip, to expose more that are influenced by the material things. Isaac Boxtel is materialistic. The writer of this paper finds Alexandre • To show all main characters’ different Dumas’ The Black Tulip allusive, challenging, intentions of money and the black tu- and interesting because it presents materi- lip. alism behind a love story and the history of • To observe the significance of the the Netherlands during 1672 and 1673. Also, black tulip in the novel. the writer appreciates Dumas’ solemn writ- • In line with the objectives of this pa- ing style, he effectively describes the efforts per, the focus of examination is the

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strong orientation on materialism in carried out to collect the data related to the The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas. novel The Black Tulip. In order to support the As it is mentioned by Kenney, main data, the writer of this paper refers to

Any discussion of character in fiction, then, other books, material, and sources related to must attend to the relationship between char- its analysis. To support and give a clear pic- acter and the other elements of the story, and ture of the work, it is necessary to explore between character and the story as a whole. more about historical and cultural background That is, character must be considered as part in the Netherlands around 1672 and 1673 as of the story’s internal structure (Kenney, 26). well as brief note on The Black Tulip. Thus, it has something to do with the There has been a study about The Black characters in the novel, such as Van Baerle, Tulip by Alexandre Dumas. This particular re- Rosa, and Isaac Boxtel, and Gryphus. search examines the historical events of that Since this paper examines materialism particular novel, its political setting, and the in The Black Tulip, the setting of which takes ambition of several characters. This particu- place in the Netherlands, the scope of the lar paper looks at the cultural elements of the study covers the history of the Netherlands novel, including the wave of ‘tulip mania’ that during 1672 and 1673 as well as prominent swept Holland during this time period. (Es- figures in the Netherlands during that era in- saytown) cluding main characters’ behavior towards According to the best of the writer’s knowl- materialism, commentary criticism of the edge, there has not been any research yet work, and materialism. about The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas This analysis is about the materialism at the Library of Faculty of Cultural Sciences as observed in The Black Tulip. Besides the Universitas Gadjah Mada. Since there is a analysis of the novel itself, and description paper on www.essaytown.net analyzes The of setting of time and place of the novel, as Black Tulip, this paper is going to analyze the well as a commentary on the novel are im- materialism in relation with the main charac- portant. Thus, the dynamic approach is ap- ters of the novel as well as the significances propriate since it covers the elements above. of the black tulip which makes it different from Mukarovsky as it is cited in Fokkema and the previous research. Kunne-Ibsch about dynamic structuralism mentions that “the work of art manifests itself Materialism in the Main Characters of the as sign in its inner structure, in its relation to Novel reality, and also in its relation to society, to Materialism as Seen in Each Main Charac- its creator and its recipients” (Fokkema and ter Kunne-Ibsch, 143). Since materialism cannot Isaac Boxtel stand by itself, dynamic structuralism is ap- Isaac Boxtel is Van Baerle’s neighbor who propriate to be applied in this paper. is also a tulip fancier. He is not as wealthy The primary source of this paper is the as Cornelius Van Baerle, he is not as great novel The Black Tulip. Library research was as Van Baerle in growing tulips and he is not

60 Meta Kurnia Sari - Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

as famous as Van Baerle. Everytime he does will be murdered the same as the De Witte is trying to fall Van Baerle down by creating brothers. He is sure that he will not have any some obstacles to Cornelius Van Baerle. rival after all and he can get a hundred thou- He even bought a telescope in order to sand guilders. He forgets what his own duty see what Van Baerle does at his house re- is. He keeps minding Van Baerle’s business lated to the tulips. His madness of fame and rather than taking care of his own tulips. Due wealth drives him mad and it triggers him to to minding other’s business he forgets to take do the bad things to Van Baerle. care of his tulips. The progress of Van Baerle

He therefore bought a telescope, which en- in cultivating tulips hurts him very much. able him to watch, as accurately as did the In fact, the bulbs are not Isaac Boxtel’s, owner himself, every progressive develop- they are produced by Van Baerle and are cul- ment of the flower, from the moment when tivated by Rosa. However, the will of having the first year, its pale seed-leaf begins to peep such great masterpiece though they are not from under the ground, to that glorious one his blinds him and it leads him to do some bad when, after five years, its petals at last reveal deeds to Van Baerle. In fact, Isaac Boxtel is the hidden treasures of its chalice (p 63). a hard-worker; he works so hard to get what Isaac Boxtel is obsessed to be as rich as he wants, the grand black tulip and a hun- Van Baerle and as successful as Van Baerle dred thousand guilders. However, he does in cultivating tulips. When he knows the an- the wrong things in pursuing material things nouncement of the competition to grow black based on society; that is stealing others’ be- tulip, the will of pursuing the a hundred thou- longings. sand guilders is getting crazier and crazier. Isaac Boxtel is also a tulip-fancier and it He puts his all his effort to beat Van Baerle is natural that he wants to achieve the best down. Therefore, he has no more enemies in among tulip-fanciers. Moreover, the one who growing tulips. succeeds in growing a grand black tulip will What is seen related to materialism ideas be honoured one hundred thousand guilders. of Van Baerle is different from Rosa and Isaac He wants the money so much. Thus, he puts Boxtel. Isaac Boxtel finds by getting the black all his effort to get black tulip bulbs and get tulip which can be stolen from Van Baerle rid of Van Baerle. He sees clearly what Van can lead him to a hundred thousand guilders. Baele does in the dry-room, “Leaving Dort, He believes that by having the black tulip he Mynheer Isaac Boxtel had abandoned not will be such a rich man since he is not from a only his house, his servant his observatory, wealthy family. Therefore he is willing to pur- and his telescope, but also his pigeons (p sue Van Baerle and claims himself as Jacob 120). Just because of his envious character Gisel coming to the prison in The Hague. toward his neighbor, Isaac Boxtel is willing to He succeeds in putting Van Baerle in jail; abandon almost all of his belongings in order he succeeds in spreading the rumor that Van to get rid of his rival and for the sake of the Baerle is keeping a great secret from John and black tulip. He does not care about anything Cornelius De Witte. He thinks that Van Baerle but the bulbs of black tulip owned by Corne-

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lius Van Baerle. He does this way because when Rosa mentions and tells the chronology the grand black tulip will be granted a hun- of how Boxtel has stalked her as well as her dred thousand guilders. Therefore Boxtel is efforts in growing and maintaining the black considered as a money-oriented materialistic tulip. person based on the level of the materialism. It is the proof that the tulip is not produced Moreover, he does not consider anything in- by Isaac Boxtel and it is also the proof that cluding moral either religion or moral value. Boxtel is such a materialistic man who wants For instance, he steals the black tulip from to take over someone achievement. “Box- Van Baerle because he could not produce it tel, crushed by the failure of his hopes, lay himself. He even tries to get rid of Van Baer- senseless on the ground. When they raised le by telling the government that Van Baerle him, and examined pulse and his heart, he has been involved in political secret of the De was quite dead” (p 246). Finally Isaac Boxtel Witte brothers. died because of his failure. He wants to pos- Boxtel also keeps watching what Rosa sess what he does not achieve by stealing it does in her room related to the tulip by renting from other person. People may do anything an attic in Loevenstein in order to ease him in order to pursue what they want including getting the black tulip. Once, Boxtel is trying money. However, moral needs to be consid- to make sure that Rosa is leaving the room, ered in this case. Boxtel puts all his effort to do thus he takes the flower. After he had stolen so, however he forgets understanding what is the black tulip and he ran away to Haarlem in wrong and what is right based on morality in order to make a false report that he finds the society as it is mentioned by Fried, black tulip. As it is stated in the novel, Boxtel Our first moral duty is to do right and to avoid is also such an expert in doing criminal. He wrong. We must do no wrong—even if by do- does some actions which are guilty enough ing wrong, suffering would be reduced and the to be put in prison for the sake of a black tu- sum of happiness increased. Indeed we must lip which will be granted a hundred thousand not do wrong even in order to prevent more, guilders. He also creates some false facts in greater wrongs by others. If those others do order to make sure that he is the great tulip- wrong it is their wrong for which they are re- sponsible, this concept of personal respon- fancier. sibility leads to an account of moral choice However, when he keeps telling lies, he and of substantive moral values that is rich, gets trapped by a question of Rosa about complex, and true to the facts. Central to this where he kept another bulb of the black tulip account is the individual’s capacity to choose and the amount of money, but he tries to an- freely and effectively, to choose between right swer Rosa, “I have it at home” (p 214). When and wrong (Fried, 2). Boxtel is asked where he kept the other bulb, Isaac Boxtel, in this case does not con- he answered that it was in his house in Dort. It sider what is right and what is wrong by so- is totally wrong when he mentions this partic- ciety related to the moral value. Therefore he ular lie since Rosa can prove that she brings is judged indirectly by the society he cannot the bulb. Moreover, Boxtel gets cornered help himself. He does this way because of

62 Meta Kurnia Sari - Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

his materialistic attitude which had led him to owned by certain people since money is im- do several bad deeds including stealing Van portant in life. Yet, people who have this cer- Baerle’s black tulip. tain trait still consider religion, art, as well as moral beliefs in doing some efforts in order Cornelius Van Baerle to obtain money. Van Baerle in this case tries Cornelius Van Baerle is a round charac- hard to produce the black tulip in order to get ter and the central one in the story. He rep- the recognition as well as money for the poor resents high class society because he is a of Dort and tulip cultivation without ignoring rich man and it seems that he does not need several laws in aesthetic, religion, and moral to work in order to obtain some money. He values. He produces some new varieties of quits being a doctor then he devotes his life tulips, he grows them, and joins the compe- to be a tulip-fancier in Dort. It is known that tition for money as well as recognition. Yet, tulip-fancier during the time was a prestigious most human beings need money in life. Basi- profession. His life-concern is tulips, although cally, human beings have several degrees of the protagonist, Dumas uses him as the tool ambition in pursuing money. Yet, they have to become the ‘victim’ in the story. different ways of pursuing material things. His father tells Van Baerle that in life peo- His attempt to pursue material items has ple have choices and he points to his good some obstacles. These obstacles are beyond friends Johann De Witte and Cornelius De his control. One of them is Isaac Boxtel, his Witte (the De Witte brothers) who were politi- envious neighbor, who is also a tulip fancier. cians during that era, who experienced some Because of the suspect that he has a rela- consequences that arose from their choices tionship with the De Witte brothers who were as politicians. Van Baerle takes it as a lesson, executed and suspected as enemies of the he does not want to be either a politician like country, he is put in jail because Isaac Boxtel the De Witte brothers or a wealthy merchant tells the government. He tries to avoid prob- like his father. It is because those occupa- lems. He considers the De Witte brothers had tions have some risks, according to him. In- experienced murder over political conspiracy deed, being a tulip-fancier is a very prominent as a consequence. Van Baerle also reflects hobby as well as an occupation which earns on his father as a merchant has some prob- some money during this period of time. His lems. Furthermore, he quits being a doctor to life is centered on tulips growing and produc- avoid problems. Therefore, he picks a profes- ing new varieties of tulips. In the novel, Van sion as a tulip-fancier to avoid problems. Baerle is very busy with himself. He is trying Although he is put in prison, he still keeps to make himself happy with his own way. the bulbs that he has been working on. He He tries to produce the black tulip as his believes that those bulbs will grow black tu- show of love to the tulips and above his abil- lips. In fact, he gives up at the beginning but ity in cultivating tulips. However, Van Baerle then, the presence Rosa; the prison keeper’s is considered materialistic that is materialis- daughter encourages him. In growing the tic based on human basic need. This trait is tulips another obstacle comes, that is, he is

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tried to be hung in front of the people of Hol- Baerle has just relations with his godfather, land. However, it is canceled and he is moved Cornelius De Witte and his brother, John De to another jail in Loevenstein. He is separated Witte who are murdered by the people of the from Rosa but fortunately Rosa and his father Netherlands. Van Baerle remains alone al- also move in to the prison in which Van Baer- though the people who come and fro seeing le is in. At times, he is despondent but Rosa the tulips bed, flowers as well as plants in his keeps helping him over and over. Finally, he house do not know him personally. wins the prize of one hundred thousand guil- Yet, there are some proofs that Cornelius ders and finally married to Rosa. Tthe intense Van Baerle is not too materialistic. Some lines meeting between Rosa and Van Baerle cre- in the novel show that Van Baerle applies ates romance between them. Van Baerle is money as the support. It is of course different a lonely man, as it is mentioned, “I am alone from other characters in the novel. The mate- in this world; my parents are dead; I never rialism which exists in Van Baerle is actually had a sister or a brother. I have never had a considered as normal since he pursues what thought of loving anyone with what is called is deserved him. However, he still puts tulips love, and if anyone has loved me I have not over the money. known” (p 104). He strives to convince Rosa When he is about to be hung in a scaffold that he is alone. By saying several words, he and he still thinks of the bulbs of the black hopes that Rosa understands him. He aims tulip which are supposed to be granted a that Rosa understand that he may not treat hundred thousand guilders and recognition. Rosa in a special way since he is not experi- When someone is about to die, what he cares enced in being very close with other people. is himself, not the belongings he has. It is to- As it is mentioned by Van Baerle that tally different from Cornelius Van Baerle. He he is indeed alone, moreover at the age of still thinks of his belonging, that is a black tu- twenty eight, he has not had any lover yet. His lip. It also shows that he has a kind of fear of heart seems to be closed to the term of love. losing a black tulip. It seems to be such a reluctance if he loves “I have only to say that I wish you to pre- someone due to what he has undergone in serve these bulbs as the most precious trea- his life by telling that he has no parents, no sure, and carefully to treat them according to sibling, no lover, and yet, no friend. That is the directions I have given you! Do it for my why most of the compensation of his life goes sake; and now farewell, Rosa” (p 107). Those to flowers and plants. It is normal as well for words again contain tulip and bulb aspects. him that he leaves his occupation as a doctor It seems that although Van Baerle is willing and put plants and flowers as his hobby as to be hung in a scaffold, he does not seem well as duty. Although he does not need more to be willing to be apart from his bulbs, which money due to his money from the parents, are supposed to produce a black tulips and it he has flowers and plants as his ‘friends’, but will be granted a hundred thousand guilders then his socialization to the people outside, from the Horticulture Society of Haarlem. He seems to be awkward. It can be seen that Van keeps on saying the same statement about

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to preserve the black tulips to Rosa. He even such a rude and cruel jailer who almost al- treats the black tulips as the only belonging ways does bad things to Van Baerle as a pris- he has in this world. oner. Gryphus is Rosa’s father. Money here is However, Prince of Orange knows as not for Van Baerle. He tries to support Rosa William of Orange, the stadtholder of Holland that the money will be for her. That amount of stated that Cornelius Van Baerle is not guilty money is not that much for him, but it will be enough to be put into death sentence and it is valuable for Rosa who is not rich. too much to set him free either. Thus, Prince The happiness of Van Baerle hearing of Orange commands that Cornelius should from Rosa that she is able to take care of the be put into prison. In this postscript, William of bulbs turns out into a fear. Van Baerle feels Orange, Stadtholder of Holland, condemned like that there is something like a threat when Cornelius Van Baerle to imprisonment for life. Rosa told him that someone named Jacob Gi- He was not sufficiently guilty to suffer death, sel was spying after her when she was busy but he was too much so to be set at liberty (p with the soil and the tulip. It surely bothers his 111). mind. Then, Van Baerle feels that there are That particular statement mentions that two threats for him, the first one is for the tu- Van Baerle is finally free from the death pen- lip and the second one is for Rosa. It is also alty although he is not totally free since he will the beginning that the tulip is being watched be imprisoned for the rest of his life. “Never by someone. He does not know that the man mind, all is not lost yet; there is some good who follows Rosa is follows the bulb of the in the perpetual imprisonment; Rosa will be black tulip. He is Isaac Boxtel whom Rosa there, and also my three bulbs of the black and Gryphus know as Jacob Gisel. tulip are there” (p 111). Van Baerle is not put The fear of Van Baerle is proven that Box- into death, yet, he is still being imprisoned. tel or Jacob Gisel comes over to Loevenstein The first which he thinks of is the bulbs of the for the sake of the black tulip. Finally Rosa grand black tulip. He is relieved when he re- appears to Van Baerle telling some informa- alizes that he is already free from the death tion about the black tulip when she consid- penalty, yet, he is still able to reach the bulbs ered not to be mad at Cornelius anymore. He of the black tulip which are now with Rosa. even gets paler knowing the information that The proof that Van Baerle is materialistic gets his grand black tulip is in danger. It is clear clearer in this part. He feels safe when he that he is afraid of losing Rosa, yet he is much mentions “all is not lost yet” (p 111). It seems more afraid of losing his black tulip. that in his life merely consists of himself and Van Baerle also mentions this particular his black tulip. sentence to attract and praise Rosa as she As it is clear in the novel that Van Baerle looks after the black tulip. “You are right, Rosa; is not guilty, he does not do against the law. it is your dowry, you know” (p 171). Even he However, he is put in jail. It somehow is luck mentions that it will be the dowry for Rosa and for him to meet Rosa but it is also a catas- those words seems to be merely a lip-service, trophe for him to meet Gryphus. Gryphus is so Rosa gets happier and supportive in tak-

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ing care of the black tulip. Dowry represents flower, Rosa saves the bulbs; and Rosa who the black tulip which will be granted a hun- pursues the flower to Haarlem by herself.”Oh! dred thousand guilders. The happiness and muttered Cornelius, she has then belied me, optimism of Van Baerle turns out to be sad- when she said this flower was stolen from her. ness when Rosa tells him that the black tulip Oh! that is why she left Loevenstein. Alas! is stolen. “Stolen, stolen, stolen; I am lost!” am I then forgotten, betrayed by her whom I (p 189). He is lost and he considered himself thought my best friend on earth?” (p 245). It to be lost. He loses the black tulip which will hurts him deeper when he finds that Jacob Gi- be granted a hundred thousand guilders. It sel is in fact Isaac Boxtel, his neighbor in Dort. means that he loses the money. He even has He feels that some people have betrayed him; heart to make Rosa pursue a black tulip and they are Rosa and Boxtel. However, finally take it back. Thus, he will get the money and Van Baerle is free because of Rosa. recognition as the pioneer in discovering the grand black tulip. Rosa When Rosa comes to Haarlem proving Rosa helps him a lot in taking care of bulbs that Van Baerle is the real producer of the of his black tulips. Once she meets the De Witte black tulip, some proofs are found that Van brothers and one of them gave her a book; that Baerle is not guilty. However, at that time, Van is a bible. However, she cannot either read or Baerle is still mad, moreover Gryphus comes write. By seeing Van Baerle over and over when over to his cell asking about Rosa and Rosa is her father has slept, she can read and she can not in Loevenstein. Gryphus is about to beat share thought to Van Baerle. They are finally fall- him but then he threatens Gryphus back. It is ing in love to each other. Besides, Rosa is also not usual that Van Baerle does this way unless as a tool for Van Baerle in fulfilling his material- he is too upset of losing his greatest treasure, ism. She is the motor in the court that the black the grand black tulip. There are some officers tulip belongs to Van Baerle with the presence of taking him to Haarlem. He finally sees black another bulb of the black tulip. She really appre- tulip and he is really amazed by that particular ciates the hard work of Van Baerle in growing flower. It is a proof that he is really crazy of the such masterpiece in the form of the black tulip black tulip not the money. Indeed it is normal and she also appreciates herself in taking care since he discovers it and he finds it flower. “At of the black tulip. Therefore when the black tulip the other, Cornelius, panting for breath, silent, is stolen by Isaac Boxtel, she runs away to see and his attention, his eyes, his life, his heart, the Prince of Orange and telling the truth that his love, quite concentrated on the black tu- she is the real owner the black tulip at the begin- lip” (p 244). It does not stop in that part, Van ning and telling the president of Horticulture So- Baerle is startled when he finds that Rosa ciety and Prince of Orange that the black tulip is gets the recognition as the owner of the black first grown by Van Baerle who is now in prison. tulip. He feels that Rosa betrays him. In this She is considered to be materialistic in a part, Van Baerle does not seem to take it for good way. She is considered as a materialis- granted although Rosa who takes care of the tic person based on human basic need, as it

66 Meta Kurnia Sari - Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

is very natural to be materialistic as a human Baerle is accused of being a secret keeper being; Rosa has that particular trait as well. of Johan De Witte and Cornelius De Witte. In Rosa tries to maintain and takes a good care Rosa, materialism is more at her appreciation of material thing. She pursues the material in toward her love to Van Baerle; moreover, he order to save Van Baerle from the prison and is still young and he has bulbs of black tu- to get the recognition that Van Baerle is the lip which will be granted a hundred thousand pioneer in discovering the black tulip, and he guilders. That is because Van Baerle trains deserves to be granted a hundred thousand her reading and writing at nine o’clock every guilders and it has been promised by the night every time her father (Gryphus) has president of Horticulture Society, Van Hery- gone to bed. She goes down to Van Baerle’s sen. cell secretly. Every night, Van Baerle trains In this story, Rosa can be a symbol of a her to read and to write and eventually they black tulip. As most people know that tulip is fall in love to each other. Rosa knows about a kind of flower cultivated in the Netherlands. the black tulips and the bulbs kept by Van This kind of flower has some colors, such as Baerle. Van Baerle trusts Rosa very much red, yellow, and some other bright colors. A when he cannot do anything to the black tulip flower also means a girl. Rosa is a girl of the when he is in jail. Rosa is also willing to keep Netherlands who is born and raised in a pris- and maintain the black tulip. In the beginning on and she is a daughter of a prison keeper Rosa is glad to help Van Baerle in keeping named Gryphus. Her mother passed away the black tulip since she falls in love with him. long time ago. She even cannot either read However, she is very disappointed and jeal- or write. Yet, she is young and beautiful. She ous when she finds that Van Baerle loves the is a beautiful young girl living in a prison. Of flowers more. course her life is not as bright as other girls Rosa is absolutely disappointed when who live in freedom and have such good liv- she finds Van Baerle loves the black tulip ing. She spends most of her life in prison, more than he does to her. It is a form of natu- seeing how the prisoners are abused. Those ral jealousy of a girl toward something, in this are the signs of darkness life of Rosa. Yet, case, a plant of a black tulip. It is natural be- she is beautiful as a flower but she has such cause Rosa takes care of the black tulip un- an unpleasant life in jail. She has seen she til it flowers. She treats the flower as if itis darkness of the people who have been bullied her own child because she falls in love with by her father, as she says, “Yes, he has been Van Baerle. However, Van Baerle is not sen- harsh to you, but it is his nature; he is so to sible enough that the attention to the flower everyone, and you are not the only one whom given by Rosa is a form of her attention to Van he has bullied” (p 102). Baerle as well. It seems that van Baerle is like She gets used to the surroundings in pris- counting the stars and he forgets that there is on. Rosa, as a prison daughter, she falls in a moon, a beautiful moon called Rosa. love with Van Baerle who is handsome and Rosa actually loves the black tulip and young. They meet in the prison when Van she has the materialistic attitude in her al-

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though it is different from Isaac Boxtel. When with Van Baerle. “To speak to Cornelius of his she finds out that Isaac Boxtel has stolen the tulip was an expedient resorted to by her to black tulip in her room, she is willing to pur- make him forget everything, even Rosa her- sue Isaac Boxtel to Haarlem. She cannot take self” (p 135). it for granted that the tulip is stolen by Isaac Rosa feels offended and she feels that she Boxtel known as Jacob in Dort and in Loev- is being used by Van Baerle. It is normal since enstein. he makes her to keep the bulbs, he makes She even dares to request The Prince and her to look after the bulbs and he even makes her father is moved to the fortress in Loeven- her prepare all things for the sake of the tulip. stein. It is in order to see Van Baerle so often. Rosa is serious in looking after the tulip. “Rosa “Oh, how I blessed His Highness in my heart. watched over the tulip as a mother over her If God grants to him all the happiness that I child, or a dove over her eggs” (p 183). Even, have wished him, certainly Prince William will Rosa is willing to go to Haarlem in order to be the happiest man on earth” (p 127). mention that the true black tulip discoverer is This mentions that Prince of Orange or Van Baerle. She does not realize that black William of Orange have such an important tulip is being spoken in the town. She is ready role to set free Cornelius Van Baerle. It is due to face and tell the truth in front of Van Hery- to Rosa’s feeling of love toward Van Baerle. sen, the president of Horticulture in Haarlem Rosa loves Van Baerle, and she reveals the and Prince of Orange. She sacrifices herself love directly within the conversation between to face them although she gets accused of be- Van Baerle and her in Loevenstein when they ing too materialistic. “I think, Monsigneur, that see each other after being apart. Rosa keeps the bait of a hundred thousand guilders may trying to do the best for Van Baerle. It is in have tempted her” (p 204). order to help Van Baerle with his bulbs of the It is said by Van Herysen, the president black tulip. Rosa understands that Van Baerle of Horticulture Society of Haarlem. He thinks really loves and cares the bulbs of the black that Rosa is trying to pursue the money. She tulip. Thus, Rosa is trying hard to take care of also tells the further explanation that she is not them. Moreover, she is willing to give such a the black tulip’ discoverer, but she just looks great care for those bulbs for the sake of Van after it. “Well then, I am not an experienced Baerle. “Teach me to read and to write. I shall florist; I am only a poor girl, one of the people, make the best of your lessons, believe me; who, three months ago, knew neither how to and, in this way, we shall never be separated read or to write. No, the black tulip has not any more except, by our own will” (p 134). In- been found by myself” (p 206). She explains deed, Rosa is a smart girl. She does not only more that Van Baerle, the prisoner of the town love Van Baerle and his bulbs of black tulip produces the black tulip and now he is in Lo- dearly. She is even wants more about that. evenstein. She also adds some chronological It seems that she does not want to be “used” information about the black tulip. Thus, Van only by Van Baerle. However, it is also one Baerle and Rosa win the contest. She is not of the ways which allows her to keep contact really materialistic, however materialism in

68 Meta Kurnia Sari - Materialism as Seen in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

her appears and it is blended with the feel- guilders. He mentions black tulip over and ing of love to Van Baerle. She knows that the over. Moreover, Van Baerle makes Rosa as tulip is not common tulip thus she is willing the bridge between his black tulip and he. to pursue the recognition in order to get the He treats love as secondary needs after the black tulip and getting the love of Cornelius black tulip. However, Van Baerle has materi- Van Baerle as well. alistic based on human basic need character since he still appreciates the law of religion, Gryphus aesthetic, as well as moral. Meanwhile, the Materialism attitude owned by Gryphus materialism level between Van Baerle and is that his attitude to the prisoner. He is not Isaac Boxtel is indeed different. Isaac Boxtel a kind of easy prison keeper who is easily is trying to put all his effort in order to gain bribed, as it is seen when Van Baerle helps the recognition as a first black tulip discoverer him when he gets broken arm. It does not and being granted a hundred thousand guil- move either his heart or his attitude in treating ders. He is brave enough to do wrong things Van Baerle as the prisoner. In fact, his rude- based on common society, that is stealing ness toward the prisoners has some possibili- others’ belonging, that is why he is consid- ties. First one, it is his trait as a prison keeper ered as a person who has money-oriented and it is his natural behavior to do such things materialistic. to the prisoners. The second one, it is pos- Rosa is indeed materialistic as well. How- sible that his attitude is a form of his loyalty ever, the way she is materialistic is different toward his duty since if he does not do such from Isaac Boxtel. Rosa is trying to help Van things he will be given some penalties. Thus, Baerle in obtaining black tulip which will be he does that way, and surely he is such a cru- granted a hundred thousand guilders. Indeed, el jailer in order to obey the government. By at glance her materialistic attitude does not being bad to the prisoners, as people know appear clearly. By approaching Van Baerle, that prisoners are considered as the men who Rosa can get a hundred thousand guilder as act against the law of countries. Therefore, it well. Rosa’s way is actually different from Van is not something wrong when Gryphus treats Baerle and Isaac Boxtel. Van Baerle is materi- all of the prisoners badly since they are bad alistic although he is very rich, but he puts his for the nations. effort in a good way, without stealing. How- ever, Rosa’s way is also different from Isaac Different Level of Materialism among the Boxtel since Isaac Boxtel tries to steal the bulb Main Characters of the black tulip. Gryphus is also materialis- Van Baerle is considered to be materialis- tic, he is materialistic since he is trying to be tic in the analysis of the novel. Indeed he is a cruel to all of his prisoners. It is because he is very rich man, however; his abundant love to- afraid if he loses his job as a prison keeper. ward black tulip makes him everything is less Van Baerle, Gryphus, and Rosa actually have important than black tulip. He is also attracted the same level of materialistic attitude that is with the grant which is a hundred thousand materialistic based on human basic need.

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