The Awakening: Quote Analysis

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Each quote that I mentioned in this paragraph shows the envy Catharine has and with that being said the second quote “I was meant to pick it up. That was what maids were meant to do---pick up their master 's and mistress 's things and put them back in their place (215). This quote is placed immediately after Catharina tries to destroy the painting of Griet by stabbing it with a knife. When Jan Vermeer prevents her from doing this, the knife falls on the floor. Griet knows that she is expected to pick it up. Logically, it is what she gets paid to do: part of being a maid is to take care of menial and unpleasant tasks so that her master and mistress do not have to be troubled with doing it. As the quotation reveals, there is also a symbolism,