Girl With A Pearl Earring Analysis

Tracey Chevalier’s novel, ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, centres around Chevalier’s interpretation, and explorations of power, and how power is explored to conclude as a major theme in her novel through her use of characterisation to endeavour that power can be influenced by hierarchy and wealth. The aspects which hold significance to power in the novel are the natures in culture in gender roles which are perceived in the 17th century, and how those of the lower hierarchy who are perceived as powerless, have given the reader knowledge that typically ‘powerless’ characters pursue a sense of power in some instances. The tradition of life in the 1600’s era, traditionally allotted essentially all its power and dominance to its men. Women since early times in human history, were considered to be inferior to men. Their lifestyle was designed to be child baring and free of thought and restricted to managing a family and managing household duties. Men were the providers of the family and typically had control over women. In suggesting this, the novel ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ gives exploration that maids are insignificant, however there are levels of power which the narrator

When it comes to her attention that Griet Is assisting Vermeer and keeps it a secret from her daughter that her husband is working closely with maid Griet, gave her instant power over Vermeer and Griet. If Maria Thins told her daughter of what was going on, it would sacrifice Griet’s job and her reputation. It would not so much sacrifice Vermeer as maids always take blame and people of such high social status reluctantly take accountability. When Catharina is led to the studio to find the painting of Griet possessing her pearl earrings. She was infuriated by this and when Maria Thins and Griet arrived on the scene, Maria asked Griet "Well,