This paper tries to pinpoint three main reasons why Havelaar’s struggles in improving the life of the indigenous can be said to be failures%2C namely Havelaar’s misinterpretation of the exploitation%2C his misguided perception%2C and his uncommitted consciousness. Apart from the failures of Max Havelaar%2C this novel leaves a rich record of the complex relation between the indigenous and their rulers%2C the indigenous (rulers) and the Dutch%2C and between the Dutch themselves. Abstract in Bahasa Indonesia : exploitation%2C misinterpretation%2C misguided perception%2C uncommitted consciousness%2C historical perspective%2C New Historicism perspective.