The President Van Systens explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Injustice and Persecution

  Rosa faces injustice as her stolen tulip is attributed to Boxtel, and she is dismissed by President van Systens despite her rightful claim.

• Love and Devotion

  Rosa's journey to Haarlem is driven by her devotion to Cornelius, risking everything to restore the tulip and his hopes.

Characters to notice

• Rosa Gryphus

  Rosa leaves the prison and travels to Haarlem to reclaim the stolen black tulip. She confronts President van Systens, asserting her ownership of the flower.

• Cornelius van Baerle

  Cornelius is left despairing in his cell after Rosa's departure and the theft of the tulip. He is abused by Gryphus but remains unresponsive.

• Gryphus

  Gryphus discovers Rosa's absence and, in a rage, threatens and abuses Cornelius. He suspects Jacob (Boxtel) has run off with Rosa.

• Isaac Boxtel

  Boxtel has stolen the black tulip and traveled to Haarlem, presenting it as his own. He is staying at the White Swan Inn.

• President van Systens

  Van Systens, President of the Horticultural Society, meets Rosa but mistakenly believes the tulip belongs to Boxtel. He advises Rosa to settle the dispute with Boxtel.

Key passages

• “Rosa, on leaving Cornelius, had fixed on her plan, which was no other than to restore to Cornelius the stolen tulip, or never to see him again.”

  After leaving Cornelius, Rosa resolved to either return the stolen tulip to him or never see him again.

  This shows Rosa's determination and the stakes of her mission.

• “Rosa was one of those women who are dejected by trifles, but who in great emergencies are supplied by the misfortune itself with the energy for combating or with the resources for remedying it.”

  Rosa is the type of woman who is discouraged by small problems but finds strength and resourcefulness in major crises.

  This highlights Rosa's character and her resilience in adversity.

• “The President was drawing up a report to the committee of the society. This report was written on large-sized paper, in the finest handwriting of the President.”

  President van Systens was carefully composing a report for the society's committee, using large paper and his best handwriting.

  This detail emphasizes the importance of the black tulip to the society.

• “I shall content myself with making my report, establishing the existence of the black tulip, and ordering the hundred thousand guilders to be paid to its grower.”

  Van Systens says he will simply report the tulip's existence and arrange the prize money for its grower, avoiding the dispute.

  This shows van Systens' reluctance to get involved in the conflict between Rosa and Boxtel.