This Earth of Mankind Setting & Symbolism

This Earth of Mankind Objects/Places

Java

Java is an island in the Dutch Indies where the novel takes place.

Surabaya

Surabaya is a city in Java where Minke primarily lives and goes to school.

B—-

B—- is a city (the full name is never given in the novel) where the regional government is housed. B— is near Minke's hometown of T—-.

H.B.S.

H.B.S. is the Dutch-language, European-run senior high school that Minke attends in Surabaya.

Wonokromo

Wonokromo is the district of Surabaya where the Mellema home and business are located.

Boerderji Buitenzorg

Boerderji Buitenzorg is the name of the Mellema family business and home.

Ah-Tjong's pleasure-house

The pleasure-house (or brothel) run by Ah-Tjong that is located near Boerderiji Buitenzorg in the Wonokromo district.

Holland or the Netherlands

Holland and the Netherlands are used interchangeably as the name for the country which has colonized Java. It lies many thousands of miles from Java yet still rules the country.

Amsterdam

Capital of the Netherlands, where the governmental decisions...
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