Girl With A Pearl Earring (Page 182-233)

Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 182- 233

Summary
Many months had passes, Griet and Vermeer were working together in order to finish two paintings at the same time. As the concert painting was completed, Griet’s portrait still needed some touch ups. Except, there was something missing in the painting, the elegant turban and Griet’s posture seem fine. Vermeer felt his painting was not finished. The idea of the pearl earring erupted one night when Catherina wore pearl earrings. With an emerald evening gown and her earrings, the earring stood out so much that Vermeer thought about it. The element needed in the painting was pearl earrings. The painting seemed dull and needed the opaque yet shiny pearls to illuminate Griet’s face. Griet struggled to decide whether to wear Catherina’s pearl earrings, she felt as a traitor toward her mistress. Yet, Vermeer asked her to wear them. She couldn’t contradict the person who had saved her and her family from starvation. At the end, Griet accepted Vermeer’s request and the painting was completely finish. The problem came when Catherina saw Griet’s portrait. She was so mad that a maid had worn her beautiful pearl earring and that her own husband kept it a secret from her. Catherina’s anger caused so much commotion that Griet ran away from the Vermeers. Ironically, Griet did not have a chance to see her portrait completed. Ten years had gone by, Griet decided to live with Pieter as the butcher’s wife. The Vermeers had not pay the money they own to the butcher. However, Pieter did not mind. He explained it was the cost for his love. Anyhow, Griet’s life had changed dramatically. She became a common butcher and a mother. There were rumors of the Vermeers’ lost of Johannes Vermeer. Catherine had 11 children to feed and huge debt to pay up. One day, Maerte, daughter of the Vermeers, came to invite Griet to their house. Once again in the same place, Griet saw Catherina. Catherina only requested her presence just to follow her husband’s will. According to the will, Griet should keep the pearl earrings. After that, Griet left with the earrings and sold them. The money was to repay the Vermeers’ debt to her husband. Griet wanted to prove that, “a maid came free” (Chevalier 233).

Quote
“As she turned her head to brush more powder on her face the earring swung back and forth, caught in the light from the front windows. It made us look at her face, and reflected light as her eyes did” (Chevalier 193).

Reaction
Chevalier’s narration style throughout the novel had been outstanding. The storyline of the book had been amusing. Chevalier’s original creativity to decipher the history behind Vermeer’s enigmatic painting to the world is superb. The history behind the idea of the pearl earring in the painting was unique. In the quote above, Chevalier conveys to the reader how Vermeer came up with the pearl earring idea. As Catherina nags to Griet about her clumsiness to spill wine over her expensive green dress, the pearl earring shined with its radiance. This radiance caught Vermeer to make Griet wear the earring that foreshadowed trouble ahead. Also, the quote has a simile. The simile compares Catherina’s eyes and the pearl’s light, how they complemented each other. The dénouement was fantastic. Griet came back to peaceful times and lived happily. It was shocking when Vermeer died. I did not see that coming. Overall, the book was great!

I rate this book 4.9 out of 5. A bit dissapointed with the dénouement. ;)