This thesis deals with the failures of Max Havelaar in improving the indigenous?
life. Under the implementation of Cultivation System (Culturstelsel), the
indigenous is exploited by the Dutch colonial government and the indigenous?
rulers. However, the prevailing structure which oppresses and exploits the
indigenous is not easily visible since it is distributed and layered between the
Dutch and the indigenous? rulers. Under this complex circumstance, Max
Havelaar fights the exploitation of the indigenous and meets his failures. Those
facts make me curious to find out the causes of the main character?s failures in
improving the indigenous? life. In order to find the causes of Max Havelaar?s
failures, I employ two theories in my analysis, namely; Historical Materialism by
Karl Marx & Frederick Engels and History and Class Consciousness theory by
George Lukacs. In order to make my analysis clearer, I divide Max Havelaar?s
failures in improving the indigenous? life in three parts. First, Max Havelaar
misinterprets the exploitation. In this first part, I will also analyze Max Havelaar?s
social surrounding that sustains the confirmation of Max Havelaar?s
misinterpretation. Max Havelaar?s second failure is his misguided perception in
his struggles to fight against the exploitation. His third failure is his uncommitted
consciousness. In this part, I analyze the work under the guidance of History and
Class Consciousness theory by George Lukacs. Finally, I conclude that the
failures of Max Havelaar in improving the indigenous? life are layered in three
levels which happen concurrently one following another. By misinterpreting his
social surrounding Havelaar misguidedly perceives himself and his social
surrounding. In facing the situation which resulted from his misinterpretation and
his misguidance, Havelaar chooses to separate his consciousness with the
necessary action in fighting the exploitation.