Nicholas van Rijn
Encyclopedia
Nicholas van Rijn is a fictional character who plays the central role in the first half of Poul Anderson
's Technic History. He is a flamboyant capitalist
adventurer, and is Dutch
, apparently a resident of Djakarta. His speech is bombastic and heavily laced with unconventional constructs, puns, oaths, and words from various Northern European languages, in particular Dutch, German
, and possibly Danish
. Although he frequently employs malapropisms such as "Angular-Saxon" or "hunky-dinghy," they are often so devious or apropos that it is difficult to believe they are unintentional. Anderson seems to have enjoyed writing this sort of dialog, and some of his more minor characters have used a similar patois.
He is obviously very well-educated in Earth literature and history and also displays considerable cunning and capacity for bullying armed aliens into doing his bidding. A formidable individual in a tight spot (his battle cries have included "God send the Right!", "Kristmenn, Krossmenn, Kongsmenn!", and "Heineken
Bier!") he prefers indulging in material luxuries to personal heroism, which is why he has employees. He routinely describes himself as an old, weak, sinful man, but this appears to be false modesty, since he usually follows it by lamenting that his subordinates (or humanity in general) would be unable to accomplish anything without his input. Indeed, this is usually borne out, for van Rijn's great intellect usually proves crucial to solving crises and mysteries that stymie all other characters. In this regard, he is similar to the character of Mycroft Holmes
.
Van Rijn is president of the Solar Spice and Liquors Company - a reference to the spice trade
with the East Indies
which was a prominent feature of the Netherlands' Golden Age
in the Seventeenth century. Clearly, the character is meant to suggest a kind of throwback to the Dutch merchant adventurers of that time, and is far closer to them than to the more civilised and sedate 20th century Dutch. He is capitalist and libertarian
in his philosophy, expressing contempt for government and believing that unfettered free commerce is the only path to peace and prosperity.
He describes commerce as "swindling each other", enjoys watching yacht races, is two metres tall and "globular" in shape, has a goatee beard, dresses in colourful and anachronistic fashions, wears numerous rings, and is known as "Old Nick
" by his employees for reasons too obvious to mention. He routinely speaks in a loud, basso voice which Anderson often likens to the sound of a hurricane or avalanche, much as his physical bulk is often compared to a mountain or a Jovian planet. He is apparently impervious to personal abuse but is angered by stupidity, incompetence, prevarication and anything else that slows him down. He is rarely a viewpoint character. He has never married but has taken many mistresses and has at least two natural children: Eric Tamarin-Asmundsen, son of the Grand Duchess of the planet Hermes, and the unnamed mother of Coya Conyon, eventual wife of David Falkayn, van Rijn's most trusted employee and the other central character of the Polesotechnic League series.
He swears by a number of saints including Saint Dismas
(the Good Thief, appropriately), and has expressed the intention of burning candles in offering (to which another character responded "Saint Nicholas
had best get it in writing"). In times of stress, he has been known to shout "This I have not deserved! Do you hear me!" at the sky, presumably at God
. It seems possible he is Catholic
.
Anderson may have derived the name from the famous painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Other famous van Rijns, however, have existed. The prefix van
, unlike the German von
, is not an indicator of minor nobility.
, reviewing Trader to the Stars, described van Rijn as "the boorish slob who makes unblushing use of his naked power, wallows in the sensual luxuries attendant on his commercial success and thus makes a splendid pulp hero."
Poul Anderson
Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
's Technic History. He is a flamboyant capitalist
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
adventurer, and is Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
, apparently a resident of Djakarta. His speech is bombastic and heavily laced with unconventional constructs, puns, oaths, and words from various Northern European languages, in particular Dutch, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, and possibly Danish
Danish language
Danish is a North Germanic language spoken by around six million people, principally in the country of Denmark. It is also spoken by 50,000 Germans of Danish ethnicity in the northern parts of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where it holds the status of minority language...
. Although he frequently employs malapropisms such as "Angular-Saxon" or "hunky-dinghy," they are often so devious or apropos that it is difficult to believe they are unintentional. Anderson seems to have enjoyed writing this sort of dialog, and some of his more minor characters have used a similar patois.
He is obviously very well-educated in Earth literature and history and also displays considerable cunning and capacity for bullying armed aliens into doing his bidding. A formidable individual in a tight spot (his battle cries have included "God send the Right!", "Kristmenn, Krossmenn, Kongsmenn!", and "Heineken
Heineken Pilsener
Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
Bier!") he prefers indulging in material luxuries to personal heroism, which is why he has employees. He routinely describes himself as an old, weak, sinful man, but this appears to be false modesty, since he usually follows it by lamenting that his subordinates (or humanity in general) would be unable to accomplish anything without his input. Indeed, this is usually borne out, for van Rijn's great intellect usually proves crucial to solving crises and mysteries that stymie all other characters. In this regard, he is similar to the character of Mycroft Holmes
Mycroft Holmes
Mycroft Holmes is a fictional character in the stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. He is the elder brother of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.- Profile :...
.
Van Rijn is president of the Solar Spice and Liquors Company - a reference to the spice trade
Spice trade
Civilizations of Asia were involved in spice trade from the ancient times, and the Greco-Roman world soon followed by trading along the Incense route and the Roman-India routes...
with the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
which was a prominent feature of the Netherlands' Golden Age
Dutch Golden Age
The Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. The first half is characterised by the Eighty Years' War till 1648...
in the Seventeenth century. Clearly, the character is meant to suggest a kind of throwback to the Dutch merchant adventurers of that time, and is far closer to them than to the more civilised and sedate 20th century Dutch. He is capitalist and libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
in his philosophy, expressing contempt for government and believing that unfettered free commerce is the only path to peace and prosperity.
He describes commerce as "swindling each other", enjoys watching yacht races, is two metres tall and "globular" in shape, has a goatee beard, dresses in colourful and anachronistic fashions, wears numerous rings, and is known as "Old Nick
Old Nick
Old Nick can mean:* an English appellation of Christian teaching about the Devil* Old Nick , from Young's Brewery...
" by his employees for reasons too obvious to mention. He routinely speaks in a loud, basso voice which Anderson often likens to the sound of a hurricane or avalanche, much as his physical bulk is often compared to a mountain or a Jovian planet. He is apparently impervious to personal abuse but is angered by stupidity, incompetence, prevarication and anything else that slows him down. He is rarely a viewpoint character. He has never married but has taken many mistresses and has at least two natural children: Eric Tamarin-Asmundsen, son of the Grand Duchess of the planet Hermes, and the unnamed mother of Coya Conyon, eventual wife of David Falkayn, van Rijn's most trusted employee and the other central character of the Polesotechnic League series.
He swears by a number of saints including Saint Dismas
Saint Dismas
The Penitent thief, also known as the Thief on the Cross or the Good Thief, is an unnamed character mentioned in the Gospel of Luke who was crucified alongside Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom....
(the Good Thief, appropriately), and has expressed the intention of burning candles in offering (to which another character responded "Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker...
had best get it in writing"). In times of stress, he has been known to shout "This I have not deserved! Do you hear me!" at the sky, presumably at God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. It seems possible he is Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
.
Anderson may have derived the name from the famous painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Other famous van Rijns, however, have existed. The prefix van
Van (Dutch)
Van is a preposition in the Dutch and Afrikaans languages, meaning "of" or "from". It is also a common prefix in Dutch surnames , as in Vincent van Gogh or Marco van Basten...
, unlike the German von
Von
In German, von is a preposition which approximately means of or from.When it is used as a part of a German family name, it is usually a nobiliary particle, like the French, Spanish and Portuguese "de". At certain times and places, it has been illegal for anyone who was not a member of the nobility...
, is not an indicator of minor nobility.
Critical commentary
Algis BudrysAlgis Budrys
Algis Budrys was a Lithuanian-American science fiction author, editor, and critic. He was also known under the pen names "Frank Mason", "Alger Rome", "John A. Sentry", "William Scarff", and "Paul Janvier."-Biography:...
, reviewing Trader to the Stars, described van Rijn as "the boorish slob who makes unblushing use of his naked power, wallows in the sensual luxuries attendant on his commercial success and thus makes a splendid pulp hero."