Liberated Mind, Liberated Soul: A Reflection Paper on “Kartini: Princess of Java”

Out of one hundred and forty nine countries, Indonesia ranked eighty fifth on the gender
inequality index facilitated by the United Nations (UN). Amongst the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are only those which had a lower rank
then Indonesia.1 “Data for urban areas shows the average salary of female workers is
IDR2,722,531 (US$190), while men get an average wage of IDR 3,503,050 (US$244)”, as stated
by the article of Bintari which shows gender inequality despite contemporary time. However,
during the 1900’s, the movie “Kartini: Princess of Java” is a great example of breaking the norms
and letting women take part in society. The movie has imparted relative events which slowly
changes Indonesia’s society for it focuses on gender equality, shows how education can liberate a
person, and debunks the conservative yet unfair customs in Indonesia.

In the family of nobles in 1879, Kartini was born in a Javanese family. However, she was
aggressively crying because the “maid” was her mother and she was obliged to call her “Yu”
instead of mother. It has to be done since her father Lord Sosroningrat was asked by her mother
to remarry in order to become a regent for their children to receive better education. As part of an
aristocratic family, education was provided to her together with the Western ideals and Dutch
alphabet as compared to the less fortunate women.2 However, despite Kartini having a great
education, the next scene as follows show “pingitan”, it is where women are being isolated from
others until one noble man marries her in order to be a Raden Ayu. Unlike the others, she finds
the process constrictive and as exhausted as her brother sees Kartini is from it, Sosrokartono
gave her a key to “escape” from the reality which leads into a wardrobe in his room. “Do not let
your mind be caged, I’ll wait for you in the Netherlands”, Sosrokartono said. Amazed as she was
with it filled with books, from then on her radical thinking grew wider and she has known
articulate ideals. The first book she read was Hilda Van Suylenburg written by Cecile
Goekoop-De Jong. Upon reading the book, she has imaginatively “escaped” from the real world
she is in and saw that Hilda was a fictional character that is a lawyer and an activist. She was
inspired by her brilliance and even more fascinated by the fact that she is married with 4 kids. By

1
Bintari, Antik. "Without Data, Indonesia's Gender Equality Promise Falters." Eco-Business. Last modified March 7, 2022.
https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/without-data-indonesias-gender-equality-promise-falters/.
2
Suwarsono, Reya. "“Kartini” Princess of Java: A Film Review." Raffia. Last modified April 8, 2022.
https://raffia-magazine.com/2022/04/08/kartini-princess-of-java-a-film-review/.
the greater wisdom Kartini has, she amused the wife of the Dutch leader who is also a friend of
her father. Raden's works were published as articles on the news together with her sisters Lady
Roekmini and Lady Kardinah. However, there have been problems which came along such as
Kartini’s elder step brother and step mother tried to stop her because they wanted to follow the
strict tradition. However, the father became lenient with the Lady’s as Lord Sosroningrat said, “A
change would come, embrace it and evaluate ourselves… Change is bound to come, it’s only a
matter of who starts it.”3 In line with Kartini’s father's leniency, she also had a burning spirit
eager enough for change dedicated to the women in their country. Furthermore, the advocacy and
Kartini being eloquent has helped the locals who are carving to thrive in the industry and be
known across Europe. However, despite the unveiling dedication of the three sisters, Kartini still
ended up having to marry someone who is about to be the Regent of Rembang. At first she did
not want it, but as her mother escaped her from the room and explained the true meaning of
devotion, having a meeting with the noble man, and giving out conditions to be fulfilled, Kartini
finally agreed.

During that era, Indonesia was called the Dutch East Indies Company (Vereenigde
Oostindische Compagnie) for it had been colonized by the Dutch led by VOC officer Jan
Pieterszoon Coen during 1621. As most Europeans objective, the Dutch aim to civilize
Indonesians despite having a great economic interest towards it.4 Despite taking advantage of the
Indonesians, the movie depicted the good relationship between Dutch officers with regents.
Thus, it can also be mirrored with the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines during 1521 for one
of their “goals” was also to civilize people and befriending the Datu’s and later on using the
country for natural resources which only benefits Spain. Furthermore, the history of Indonesia
also shows the oppression towards marriage. One of the scenes in the movie where Kartini asked
what age the women in the rural areas married had a consensus of being married as early as the
age of twelve to fifteen that has been arranged or enforced by the parents. It does not only
happen in Indonesia, but as well as other countries in Asia such as Malaysia where children are
allowed to marry that is under their law.5 Thus, gender inequality is not the only social issue

3
Kartini: Princess of Java. Directed by Hanung Bramantyo. 2017. Indonesia: Netflix, 2017. Film.
4
Tasevski, Olivia. "The Dutch Are Uncomfortable With Being History’s Villains, Not Victims." Foreign Policy. Last modified
August 10, 2020. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/10/dutch-colonial-history-indonesia-villains-victims/.
5
Selan, Siva. "Child Marriage in Malaysia: How Old is Too Young? It Depends on Who You Ask." MalaysiaNow. Last modified March 13,
2021. https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/03/13/child-marriage-in-malaysia-how-old-is-too-young-it-depends-on-who-you-ask.
presented in the movie as it tackles a more serious issue in Indonesia in the earlier part of its
history.

Kartini is an ideal woman who does not allow disparity in both gender and social status,
she is courageous for having fought the noblemen in their country. Thus, it shows that regardless
of any struggles that one can face, with enough persistence and will change can happen. Greta
Thunberg, is one of the many women who seeks change; however, she seeks change in
environmental reforms. Women in society should always be seen as equal with men, it is possible
that women are being hindered due to the great power one can wield when equipped with proper
education, ideals, and resources. Education can really be one of the greatest weapons that one
can employ for the greater purpose of one’s own and the greater good. One must have a liberated
mind to have a liberated soul which can then influence the many for a liberated society and
country. As Kartini said, “There is nothing more valuable than liberating your mind. Our body
might be imprisoned but our mind and soul must fly free. Once you give up your soul, you will
lose yourself forever.”6

6
Kartini: Princess of Java. Directed by Hanung Bramantyo. 2017. Indonesia: Netflix, 2017. Film.
 Bibliography

Bintari, Antik. "Without Data, Indonesia's Gender Equality Promise Falters."

Eco-Business. Last modified March 7, 2022.
https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/without-data-indonesias-gender-equality-
promise-falters/.

Kartini: Princess of Java. Directed by Hanung Bramantyo. 2017. Indonesia: Netflix,

2017. Film.

Selan, Siva. "Child Marriage in Malaysia: How Old is Too Young? It Depends on Who
You Ask." MalaysiaNow. Last modified March 13, 2021.
https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/03/13/child-marriage-in-malaysia-ho
w-old-is-too-young-it-depends-on-who-you-ask.

Suwarsono, Reya. "“Kartini” Princess of Java: A Film Review." Raffia. Last modified
April 8, 2022.
https://raffia-magazine.com/2022/04/08/kartini-princess-of-java-a-film-review/.

Tasevski, Olivia. "The Dutch Are Uncomfortable With Being History’s Villains, Not
Victims." Foreign Policy. Last modified August 10, 2020.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/10/dutch-colonial-history-indonesia-villains-vi
ctims/.

VOI, Tim. "Synopsis Of Kartini's Film: Dian Sastrowardoyo As A Figure Of Gender

Equality." VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Last modified April 21,
2021.
https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/46017/synopsis-of-kartinis-film-dian-sastrowardoyo-as-
a-figure-of-gender-equality.