Most of Kartini’s letters contain criticism and complaints against the unfair restriction of the Javanese culture towards women’s freedom and development. Her number one wish was to ensure that women have as much freedom to work and study as their male counterparts. Her ideas and aspirations for women in general and Javanese women in particular were: Zelf-ontwikkeling (“Self-Development”), Zelf-onderricht (“Self-Teaching”), Zelf-vertrouwen (“Self Confdence”), Zelf-werkzaamheid (“Self Suffciency”), and Solidariteit (“Solidarity”). All of these states are based on Religieusiteit, Wijsheid, en Schoonheid (“Religiosity, Wisdom, and Beauty”), as well as Humanitarianism and Nationalism.
Kartini did express her desire to continue her studies, especially to Europe, in her letters. Her correspondents were very supportive and did everything in their power to make this dream come true. Naturally, they were very disappointed when she canceled practically at the last minute, planning to study in Betawi instead of the Netherlands after she received this advice from Mrs. Abendanon as the best course of action for herself and her sister Rukmini.
In mid-1903, in her 24th year, Kartini even canceled her plan to study to become a teacher in Betawi. In a letter to Mrs. Abendanon, she explained that she cannot leave as she is to be married: “…In brief and in short, I no longer seek to take advantage of this opportunity, as I am to be wedded soon…”
Of course this came as a great surprise for Mrs. Abendanon and her other friends, as the Netherland Department of Teaching has prepared slots for Kartini and Rukmini to study in Betawi. However, Kartini has had a change of heart about the Javanese culture. She has become more tolerant, and she believed that marriage will bring her a different advantage regarding her dream of establishing a school for bumiputra or native-born daughters. In her letters, Kartini stated that her husband supported not only her plans to develop the Jepara carving industry and her bumiputra girls’ school, but also her intent to write a book.
Read: Halim Perdanakusuma – A pioneer of the Indonesian Air Force
The changes in Kartini implied that she has released and transcended her ego: just as she nearly achieved her dream of studying in Betawi, she accepted the patriarchal dictate of her family and society to marry the Adipati Rembang – all because she could find a way to educate more women as the wife of a high nobleman. It was a cruelly brief dream, as short as a lightning bug’s life, but she was proven right – and the glow of her “lightning bug” efforts lasted through the centuries. (rp)