Abstract
With the publication of 'The betrayal' of A.M. de Jong made a little boy his appearance in the literature who became very popular. In many parts Merijntje Gijzen had the leading role.
The eight-piece cycle was known as Merijntje Gijzen's youth and early life. A film adaptation, stage adaptation and tv series could not lack.
They are evidence for the popularity of Merijntje. Not only the bookselling public and a good reception by the public, the book could also count on the enthusiasm of Martinus Nijhoff and Menno ter Braak.
The question is whether the adventures and misadventures of Merijntje just were meant to entertain us? Do we find in the book just entertainment? Merijntjes sensitive, thoughtful and sincere nature suggest a more than superficial character. De Jong may have stopped some of himselves in the lad.
He also was of extremely simple origin. His hard youth and attempts to escape to the dire poverty have made him a socially engaged author.
It is likely that Merijntje not merely was written for entertainment, but also to emancipate the workers. He tried to elevate the people socially and spiritually through his narrators talent in a romantic-realistic style, as he himself mentioned.
He wanted to be heard and understood.