THEMES

THEMES in Girl With A Pearl Earring __Gender and Power__ “‘You shouldn’t fight me, my girl.’… And you know, I will have you anyway when I get that painting.” (pg. 214) The relationship between Griet and Van Ruijven reinforces the theme of gender and power in the novel, displaying the patriarchal position of Van Ruijven who thus feels he can exploit Griet through his power and authority over her.

Pieter’s character holds power over Griet, as like Van Ruijven due to the patriarchal nature of society at the time, as well as his wealth placing him in a position of power. Due to this, Griet depends upon Pieter to help support her parents, influencing her decision to marry him. “A butcher’s wife- and her parents – would always eat well. A little hunger now would bring a heavy stomach eventually. " (pg 128)

__Loyalties__ The theme of loyalty is explored through the characters of not only Griet and her Parents but also through Griet and her master Vermeer. Griet is loyal to parents as she works as a maid for the Vermeer family, in order to provide an income to support hers mother, father and sister. When her mother informs her that she will be working as a maid, Griet does not hesitate or complain which emphasises her loyalty towards her parents. She also returns back to her house to visit her family and eventually marries Pieter to keep a solid income. “I knew what a hardship it would be…my parents had very little now…despite my wages…” (Page 128). The theme is also revealed through the relationship and activities between and Griet and Vermeer. She covers up what her master makes her do, sit for the painting, as she knows it is wrong and yet she does not tell anyone. She risks the fact that she could lose her job and ruin her reputation while she remains loyal to Vermeer.

__Nature of Genius__ The relationship that occurs between Griet and Vermeer emphasises the theme of the nature of genius in that his genius is the thread that connects them. She, unlike others better understands the concepts of his genius. This can be seen in the quote “I want [my father] to understand that white was not simply white. It was a lesson my master taught me”. He takes the time to teach her how to understand art, a lesson he does not bother to teach others within the novel. Griet’s infatuation with Vermeer could be said to have come from her admiration of his genius and the fact that he chooses her, as in individual, to share on this genius to.

Maria Thins relates to Vermeer’s genius in that she, unlike her daughter, understands it, to a certain level. Maria Thins is a business woman and she only supports the works of Vermeer as she knows that it helps the family. She understands that forcing him to fasten the speed in which he paints will ruin the works he produces. Maria Thins also understands that he and Griet have a relationship that allows him to produce works more quickly. This can be seen when Maria Thins is speaking to Griet in concern to how permanent Griets position is within the household “ He’s been painting faster these last few weeks, I’ve noticed…you help him paint faster girl…and you’ll keep your place her”.

__Art and Life__ // Griet and Vermeer / Griet and Van Ruijven // The theme of art and life is displayed through the relationship between Griet and Vermeer and Griet and Van Ruijven. Art dictates and influences the various aspects of Griet’s life before and after she enters the Vermeer household. When Griet first meets Vermeer, and he questions her about her arrangement of the vegetables, she simply states “The colours fight when they are side by side, sir.” (pg. 5). This quote possesses great significance as it represents the immediate situation but also describes in a greater sense the conflict that becomes part of Griet's. Her artistic sensibilities and obsessive compulsive nature are surrendered towards the art, which dictates the way in which her life must be led, as shown in the layout of the vegetables. Vermeer’s art is the centre of his life, and therefore has an impact on Griet’s life. “I would never stop working on a painting if I knew it was not complete, no matter who was to get it…That is not how I work” (pg. 207). Her life is ruined due to Vermeer’s dedication to his art and their relationship together, as well as Griet and Van Ruijven’s relationship. Art initiates Griet’s relationship with both Vermeer and Van Ruijven, forming different, yet similar, relationships. Both relationships have an overtone of sexual connotations. However the relationship between Griet and Van Ruijven is more of a power struggle within her life; an ongoing one due to Vermeer and his artistic representation of Griet. The relationship between Griet and Vermeer is one that reflects her sheltered nature and innocence.

AND...

The relationship that occurs between Griet and Vermeer is a bond that they share with no other. Their bond represents a connection that symbolises artistic sensibilities and the variation of classes and status in the 17th century society. Vermeer and Griet share a common interest of art and how they strive for their creation to represent perfection. This is demonstrated at the beginning of the novel //Girl with a Pearl Earring//, where Griet meets Vermeer and Catharina. Griet is preparing supper for her family; she begins to cut her vegetables and places them on a plate in a specific colour order. Vermeer is very intrigued by this and begins to discuss why Griet has done this. “I see you have separated your whites, why is that? The colours fight when they are side by side sir…”

Vermeer’s passion for art will be more important then any other event that occurs in his life, this is so his creations can symbolise perfection. This is shown through out the novel when Vermeer is painting Griet. Vermeer is at a point in the development of his painting where he does not know how else to perfect it. “…this will please Van Rujivan; however it will not please me…”

__Love and Marriage__ Vermeer and Griet The relationship between Griet and Vermeer is innocent and gentle yet strangely intense. This is apparent in the studio when Vermeer is painting Griet. “Now that he had seen my hair, now that he had seen me revealed I no longer felt I had something precious to hide and to keep to myself. It no longer mattered what I did and did not do.” – pg 208 Griet is torn between her fascination with Vermeer and her more promising relationship with Pieter, a young butcher. The bond between Vermeer and Griet is more artistic rather than romantic. However, the relationship between Griet and Pieter the son of the butcher does not reach the same level of satisfaction as that which she feels toward Vermeer. Griet and Pieter's deepening relationship is more of a consequence due to her intangible desire for Vermeer, as his relationship potential is more readily available and promising. Once eighteen and discussing marriage, Griet shares her unwillingness to wed. Peter replies, “Not everyone waits until they’re older... And your family needs me...” – pg 186

__Status and Class ( Money)__ REALATIONSHIP -Griet and Vermeer -Griet and Van Ruijven

Chevalier’s “Girl with the Pearl Earing” is a novel which explores the theme of Status and Class. This theme is expressed through the relationship between Griet and Vermeer. Griet is from a low, working class status and comes to the Vermeer household as a maid. Due to her place and position, she is low in status and therefore Vermeer, being Griet’s master, dominates her. His position is of wealth and middle class, and yet he treats Griet differently to what a maid of that social class should be treated. He still holds the authority over her, caused by their position and class, yet Vermeer treats Griet quite differently to what is expected within a master and maid relationship.

The theme of status and class is defined through the relationship shared between Griet and Van Ruijven. As expressed, Griet was from a very low status and class, contrasting to the power, wealth and high status of Van Ruijven. Van Ruijven in not dominant over just Griet, but over the entire Vermeer house. He expects more from Griet than what a maid should normally be in a position to give, which she does for the love of his art and her feelings for him. Due to Griet’s position as a maid and the high status and class of Van Ruijven their relationship is one of control and power. “You shouldn’t fight me my girl and you know I will have you anyway when I get that painting” – Van Ruijven.