Girl WIth a Pearl Earring
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
As a young adult, Griet is pushed into an environment in which she has to succeed. Once she starts working in the Vermeer household many adults seize the opportunity to take advantage of her. "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Chevalier portrays Griet to be a victim of exploitation and betrayal by Vermeer, Van Ruijven, Tanneke and her parents. Being so young and nave, Griet is let down by those she loved and relied upon.
Griet and Vermeer had a complex and intricate relationship, in which Griet had feelings for Vermeer, but he did not show or return feelings and he used this to his benefit. When in his studio, Vermeer could only "see the world as he wants it to be", Griet was included in that world. Vermeer used to his advantage Griet's interest in art. He used her artistic ability for his own selfish benefit, taking her advice and not realizing how it affected her. Vermeer never helps Griet in her battles with other family members when in strife, his family would always come second to his paintings, with never a place held for Griet. Vermeer never had the courage to "admit" doing anything wrong when it came to back-up Griet, instead Vermeer kept his mouth shut, leaving all the blame for the pearl earrings befall Griet...