An essay on the importance of names in "This Earth of Mankind" by Pramoedya Toer (3 pgs, bibliography included)

"What's in a Name?"
What exactly is in a name? You're name is who you are; it distinguishes John Smith, from Joe Blow. There is much weight that is vested into a name; in the Native American culture a child is given a name that fits his character. In our society, the title of Doctor connotates respect and that he is a well-educated individual. In This Earth of Mankind, a name not only separates individuals by identifying who one is, it also defines him as a person.
A name with a generally negative connotation is not always bad. Minke, whose real name is never revealed to us, finds o…