Setting In Tracy Chevalier's Girl With A Pearl Earring

One may contemplate the age old question, “Is seeing truly believing?” In the novel, Girl With a Pearl Earring, written by Tracy Chevalier, the reader can easily be lost in thought about this timeless question. The characters in the novel each have a unique perspective on 17th century Delft society, and ultimately each other. Whether it be class or gender, almost each character comes face-to-face with the harsh reality things are not all what they seem. Not only does Chevalier’s implementation of setting enhance each characters interaction with one another, but also the perspective each character has regarding his class or gender. Chevalier introduces sixteen year old Griet to express the theme of perception and how 17th century Delft affects

The young protagonist, Griet, holds a lowly status within society, but unlike most working class families during this time, Griet has an eye for art and beauty (Chevalier 5). This can be seen when Johannes Vermeer questions her reasoning for separating vegetables. Her response piques Vermeer’s interest. “’The colors fight when they are side by side, sir.’ He arched his eyebrows, as if he had not expected such a response” (Chevalier 5). Most upper class families were expected to have culture, intelligence and appreciation for the arts; not many low or working class individuals had these attributes. Vermeer displays each these qualities, but Griet solely bases her perceptions regarding the Vermeer household 's on this ideology. Griet could not be more wrong with her perception of the Vermeer house hold. Her thoughts are greatly misguided as she discovers they 'struggle ' to pay her wages (Chevalier 49). Griet also realizes the Vermeer’s are not so different from her own family, but she will never be able to escape from her class position. In Griet’s class, many of the women do not have their ears pierced because they could not afford an earring. One can argue the scene where Griet pierces her ear, is an example that she cannot escape her class. “I pulled the earlobe taut and in one movement pushed the needle though my flesh. Just before I fainted I thought, I have always wanted to wear pearls.”