Girl with a Pearl Earring

During our life we develop and mature in ways that as a youth are unimaginable. We change without knowing it. The transition from a child to a young adult does not happen overnight: it is a gradual build up from our youth which is influenced by our parents, piers and things going on around us. Sometimes we do not know we are changing and it is a surprise brought upon us as we are told by those closest to us, other times we want to change but can not dig deep down within ourselves to get out of our old ways. However other times we are forced to change and adapt to these new ways and sometimes its easier than expected. Griet is a suitable character to examine in order to look at the change in maturity amongst the characters in “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Tracy Chevalier.

At the start of this novel Griet is a timid, vulnerable character. Everything she does is in aid of those around her. This anxiety to please is presented to us through her eyes,

“…the widening of my already wide eyes.”

The sincerity, carefulness and almost perfect attitude she has towards helping people is almost un-natural. It is as if this sixteen year old girl has the patience and courtesy of a saint. However this leads us to believe that this girl was brought up with the values of love and care, rather than material positions. Being the daughter of a local tile painter, money is tight and after an accident leaves her father blind and unable to work it is then Griet who is left to be in charge of the weekly income. She is clueless about this until her mother lets her know,

“You are to start tomorrow as their maid.”

Griet is absolutely bemused, and informs the reader of this by saying,

“I pressed my lips together.”

As she is taken in that she is to work as a maid in the home of Vermeer. We realise that for a simple Protestant girl, being thrown into a Catholic home full of riches and elegance is intimidating. From stating that Griet is a girl of passion to help those around her, her attitude soon changes after working in the mansion. From once loving her family, re-living tales from her work, and bringing home tales to share, Griet generally starts to change.

It would most likely not be easy working each day of your life except a Sunday. Griet worked for her condescending mistress, Catharina, and the rather uncivil maid Tenneke, but despite these hardships she had to earn her wages. It was only when she cleaned her master's studio that she found enjoyment, for that is where his paintings were created. It was in that studio where the drama of her life unfolded.

At first Griet was used as a labourer doing all the chores that nobody wished to pursue. Once her trust in the house deepened her responsibilities were increased. Her next and foremost mission is to clean the masters studio. This happened on her second morning but it was also this specific morning that her conscience was all over the place, after sleeping with a picture of “Crucifixion” at the bottom of her bed Griet feels rather patronised,

“I did not know what Catharina - or any of them - thought of my being Protestant.”

Griet feels out of place and thinks the others are being judgemental about her however this paranoia is not to last to long as she is then let into the masters studio. It is almost love at first sight as her feelings are content and emotionally she feels secure in this “paradise”. However as her feelings for the studio grow she is made to “run errands” everyday and this is where fate takes over and she knows where her life is destined to end up when she meets Pieter. The butchers son was smitten with Griet,

“His eyes came to rest on me