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Symbols and Their Portrayal of the Girl with the Pearl Earring Essay Example

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Symbols and Their Portrayal of the Girl with the Pearl Earring Essay Example
Symbols and Their Portrayal of the Girl With the Pearl Earring

Throughout the novel, Girl With A Pearl Earring, many symbols are prevalent to the main character, Griet. Tracy Chevalier, the author, describes the obstacles a maid in the late 1600’s must go through in order to sustain a living incorporating a famous painting into the core of the story to keep the reader’s attention. In the beginning of the novel, Vermeer first experiences Griet’s artistic ability and intelligence when she is cutting up vegetables for her family. Vermeer and Griet’s relationship grows during the advancement of the novel, and her inventive personality shows more ubiquitous to the famous artist. Vermeer, however, has a different relationship toward Catherina, his wife, than he shares with Griet. Vermeer is unable to share his love for painting with his wife. As Griet is introduced into his house, he has found someone with whom to share his opinions. The alluring servant girl, Griet, with no fault of her own, finds that her genuine beauty attracts Vermeer’s gaze, as a man and as an artist, so much that he is left with no choice but to convey her essence with just paint and a canvas. The similarities in the way they think bond each other in a special way only noticeable by the reader. Griet’s life experiences are analogous to the symbols illustrated in Vermeer’s painting. These symbols include the colors that reflect Griet’s life and hardships, her elusive turban, the earring her master gives to her, and the uncommon additions Vermeer adds to the painting.

“No, your hand needs to do this.” He placed his hand over mine. The shock of his touch made me drop the muller, which rolled off the table and fell on the floor. I jumped away from him and bent down to pick it up. […] It took me much longer to grind my piece, for I was clumsy and flustered from his touch.

Color usage is of great importance and significance in the novel. The color groups that

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