Robert Suurhof is a classmate of Minke's at HBS School, who introduces him to Annelies. He secretly wants Annelies to fall for him, since he is European, and is taken aback when she falls for Minke instead. This explains his animosity towards Minke later in the novel, although in the end he begs forgiveness and leaves Java. He cannot stay on the same island as Annelies, which is ironic since she ends up also leaving the island.