Chinese Architect and Poetess Huei-yin Lin (林徽因)

Chinese Architect and Poetess: Huei-yin Lin

中國建築師與詩人:林徽因(1904~1955)

林徽因女士在中國古建築研究與工藝美術設計上的專業表現,常被她與環繞在她身旁的幾位大師級人物之間的涓涓情愫傳聞所掩蓋:建築師丈夫梁思成(梁啟超大兒子),浪漫詩人徐志摩,哲學家金岳霖.例如,徐志摩的那首"你去,"就是詩人"愁望著雲濘的天和泥濘的地,"心裡惦念著剛離開的林徽音一家人是否安然抵達在香山山上的住處所引發靈感所作:


你去,我也走,我們在此分手;
你上那條大路,你放心走,
你看那街燈一直亮到天邊,
你只消跟從這光明的直線!
你先走,我站在此地望著你:
放輕些腳步別教灰土揚起,
我要認清你遠去的身影,
直到距離使我認你不分明...
等你走遠,我就大步的向前...
更何況永遠照徹我的心底,
有那顆不夜的明珠,我愛---你!

(林徽音文集,梁從誡 編選,天下文化 出版,頁355-58)


很顯然地,林徽因在此詩是扮演著靈感女神Muse,或是觸媒,的角色.我們不須要把詩中的"你"和現實中的"林徽因"劃上等號.但是,林徽因能夠激發靈感與想像,能夠讓人投射深厚的情誼,這是無庸置疑的.


這擁戴不僅包括當時與她有過接觸的文化工作者,半世紀之後的現在,在保存文化遺產與開創文化創意產業的新興風潮中,她曾做過的事更顯得貼近文化之美,民族之心:疾呼北京數百年古城原樣原味的保存,力圖挽救北京舊城牆被拆的命運,研究中國歷代服飾並運用於現代時裝的設計,設計景泰藍新圖案.


林徽因不僅激發別人創作,鼓勵文壇新秀,自己的文采也在那實驗白話文新詩的時代閃爍著獨特的女性光芒.從我自己也身為女性的角度看來,她的詩作在表現現實生活中無法相互協調與平衡的兩種情緒:對情愛坦誠直接的回應,以及對既定生活軌跡的遵循.這兩者似乎不可得兼,縱然女詩人始終堅持既定軌道,對自由奔放似乎未能真正忘情~


在"憶"中,可以看到坦白情意的歡欣:

..你曾說過的幾句話,白鴿似的盤旋...
是你在笑,仰臉望,
多少勇氣話那天,你我全說了,
---像張風箏向藍穹,憑一線力量.(頁126-7)


在"年輕的歌:一串瘋話"中,能夠看到告白愛意的決心:

...相信我的心裡留著有一串話...
忘掉靦腆,我定要轉過臉來,
把一串瘋話全說在你的面前! (頁213)


但是,這歡欣與決心畢竟只存在於對過去的追想與追悔,那事實上女詩人對著別人表達出的情愫愛意又抱持何種態度?


在"仍然"中,感覺敏銳的女子在內心能充分感受對方的心,在外表卻努力矜持:

你又學葉葉的書篇隨風吹展,
揭示你的每一個深思;
每一角心境,你的眼睛望著,
我不斷的在說話;
我卻仍然沒有回答,
一片的沉靜永遠守住我的靈魂.(頁213)


這份自持自制的目的彷彿是要維護這個女子所事先認定的"生活的模樣"和"生命的式樣."就像在"深夜裡聽到樂聲,"

這一定又是你的手指,
輕彈著,在這深夜...
一聲聽從我心裡穿過,
忒淒涼,我懂得,
但我怎能應和?
生命早描定她的式樣,太薄弱,
是人們的美麗的想像....(頁93-94)


儘管這個選擇如此之肯定,女子內心卻仍無法揮去那份眷戀.如同在"那一晚"裡,

你和我分定了方向,
兩人各認取個生活的模樣...
到如今我還想念你岸上的耕種:
紅花兒黃花兒朵朵的生動...
那一天你要看到凌亂的花影,
那便是我私闖入當年的邊境!(頁89-90)


對於這纏繞的情絲,我年紀越大越不為其感動.反而覺得深夜裡聽不到任何悲思的樂聲,或不記得有哪個心碎的晚上是件正常平凡的事!就是幸福! 


我現在所喜歡的詩歌傾向簡單純粹的意象與節奏,讀起來,唸起來,就是詩味十足!像是"靈感":

是你,是花,是夢,打這兒過,
此刻像風在搖動著我...
直到靈魂舒展成條河,
長長在天上一千首歌!(頁134-35)


我更喜歡"你是人間四月天-一句愛的讚頌,"道盡了付出的喜悅與無盡的愛,讀來有一份心頭的溫暖:

你是一樹一樹的花開,
是燕在樑間呢喃,
---你是愛,是暖,是希望,
你是人間四月天!(頁124-25)


還有我最愛的一句,只在手稿裡出現,未被林徽因自己採用:"夜的靜,卻有夜的耳在聽"(頁111).


這些詩句是文學的林徽因用聲音文字構築的影像空間與意義場域,頗有巧思與創意.跨越半世紀以上的歲月中,還沒有哪一個女詩人可以毫無疑問地走在她前面.


現在,讓我們來瞭解一下建築的林徽因.在此領域,她與夫婿並肩努力,尋訪古建築,作精確的測量與繪圖,並撰寫紀錄與評論.「建築意」此一概念就是出自林徽因獨特的詩人感受.


林徽因的「建築意」

林徽因對古建築評論與鑑賞創造了一個新概念:「建築意」。「建築意」 的定義源自於“平郊建築雜錄”(原載＜中國營造學社匯刊＞三卷四期,署名: 梁思成、林徽音)。她評析北平四郊的建築遺物，認為古建築在建築審美者的眼裡，除了「詩意」、「畫意」之外，還有一種「建築意」的愉悅(林徽音文集,頁333-45)。 這所謂的「建築意」如何定意? 有什麼意涵?


仔細讀過“平郊建築雜錄”之後，我認為林徽因所謂的「建築意」是經過人工裁切雕琢過的建物實體，在光影風雨中，所顯現出來的歷史感。因此，老建築的賞析是同時包涵了「詩意」、「畫意」、「質感」，和「時光流逝感」等數個面向，同時考慮到了「建物與材料」、「技術與工藝」，以及最重要的--觀賞者對「時空變幻」的聯想力與「氣候與光線」的敏感度。所以，「建築意」是綜合了建物，大自然、與觀賞者人文素養三方面考量的藝術批評概念。


文學的林徽因靈活,敏銳,但是情緒困頓. 建築的林徽因則各種感觀官與各門學問之間通達無礙,可以整合聯想,創造意想不到的連結.比較類似於像Leonardo da Vinci這樣各面向與學識都通達的文藝復興全人Renaissance Man,所以,林徽因選擇建築是可以理解的,因為:連詩的靈動也包括進去了!

Romeo and Juliet: the play and the film adaptations

William Shakespeare's tragedy

Romeo and Juliet

and its movie adaptations

 Notes by Vinia

2009.10.2

William Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" highlights the power of youthful love against the background of built-up hatred and aged-old prejudices between rival families.

I. Synopsis of the play

In the fair town of Verona,  there were two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues  They tried their best to use every method to destroy each other. 

Romeo was the only son of the Montague family and Juliet, the only daughter of the Capulet family.  The two met and fell in love with each other. Against the background of hatred and violence, they made the arrangement with the priest and got married secretly in the church. 

Unfortunately, Romeo killed Juliet's cousin against his own will to avenge his best friend's death and was banished by the city authority as a result. 

During Romeo's absence, Juliet worked out a plan with the priest to avoid the arranged marriage with another man.  She drank the potion given by the priest and  faked death. It was the plan that when Juliet awoke from her sleep, Romeo would return to the city and took her away secretly. 

Unfortunately, the message from the priest never reached Romeo.  Instead. Romeo was informed by one of his friends of Juliet's death. Romeo returned to Verona and saw Juliet's body lying motionless.  With deep sorrows, he drank the poison he had brought with him and committed suicide.

Shortly, Juliet awoke from her fake death and saw her Romeo losing breath with her own eyes.

With great shock and grief, Juliet killed herself with Romeo's dagger and died next to her love.

Their determination to die together rather than being alive apart awoke their parents from their deep hatred against one another.  A hope for reconciliation emerged at the cost of the lives of this young couple.

For several hundreds of years, their determination to keep the sacred promise in love and in marrige have touched upon the hearts of many lovers, young and old.

It is said that this is one of the best tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written.

In Shakespeare's original play, there are a Pologue and five acts. The following synopsis of the play is cited from this very resourceful website:

http://absoluteshakespeare.com/ 

William Shakespeare's

Romeo and Juliet

Prologue

Arguably Shakespeare's most famous play begins with a Prologue which establishes that this play will be a tragedy and that the children of two feuding families, Romeo of the Montague family and Juliet of the Capulet family, will both love and die in the course of this play...

Act I.

Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montague family start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona who angrily learns of this fight, declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families. Romeo we learn is lovesick; Rosaline, the object of his affections will not requite (return) his love. His friend Benvolio tells Romeo to look at other girls...

Meanwhile Capulet is keen for Paris to marry his daughter Juliet and plans a party to be held later that night. Romeo and friends decide to turn up uninvited, Romeo hoping to see Rosaline, whom he still pines for...


Lady Capulet discusses the idea of marriage to Paris with Juliet. Juliet keeps her options open. The Nurse wishes Juliet every possible happiness...


Meanwhile Mercutio attempts to cheer a lovesick Romeo up, telling him to be rough with love if need be.


At the Capulet's party, Romeo who is disguised by a masque (mask), falls in love with Juliet on sight. Capulet stops Tybalt from attacking Romeo at his party, telling him there will be other opportunities. Both Romeo and Juliet learn that they are each enemies of the other's family...

A Prologue sung by a choir dramatizes the conflict both Romeo and Juliet feel between their love for one another and their loyalty to their respective families.

Act II.

Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet's wall to be near Juliet, the woman he cannot forget... Unnoticed in Juliet's orchard, Romeo learns of Juliet's love for him.

After declaring their feelings for each other, the two decide to marry. Juliet will send Romeo a messenger in the morning to make plans for their wedding...


The very next day, we meet Romeo's friend, Friar Laurence. He wonders how Romeo can forget Rosaline so quickly but agrees to marry the two since he hopes this marriage it will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud...


Romeo catches up with his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. Juliet's messenger, the Nurse, arrives and the wedding is set for later that day. The Nurse brings Romeo "cords" or ropes which will allow Romeo to climb into Juliet's bedchamber as her husband later that night...

Act II ends with Romeo and Juliet's marriage.

Act III.

Benvolio and Mercutio (both Montagues) meet Tybalt (Capulet).

 Tybalt attempts to provoke Romeo into fighting. Mercutio fights Tybalt and is killed. Romeo then kills Tybalt.

Escalus, the Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from Verona threatening death should he ever return.

Juliet learns of Romeo killing Tybalt and despite being torn between her loyalty for her family and Romeo, mourns her husband Romeo's banishment.

Romeo learns of the banishment order, realizing he will not be able to see Juliet again.

Friar Laurence suggests Romeo go to Juliet's bed chamber to comfort his wife...

Capulet, who does not know of Romeo and Juliet's marriage, decides that the marriage of Juliet to Paris must now proceed, bidding his wife to make Juliet aware of Paris' love for her.

The day of the marriage has been decided; it will be Thursday.

We learn that Romeo has spent the night with his Juliet. Juliet who is now already secretly married to Romeo, learns that she is to marry Paris. She tries to fight her father's wishes, failing to dissuade him.

Juliet decides to commit suicide if all else fails...

Act IV.

Paris reveals that the wedding will occur on Thursday. Juliet is cold to Paris.

Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a potion simulating death, allowing Romeo to take her away, unopposed to Mantua since everyone will think she is dead at the Capulet's ancient vault or burial ground.

Capulet makes plans for Juliet's wedding. Juliet, who has decided to drink Friar Laurence's potion, no longer opposes the wedding, delighting Capulet.

Hearing this good news, Capulet, who is keen to have Juliet marry Paris decides to move the wedding forward.

It will now be on Wednesday morning, not Thursday as previously planned...

Juliet succeeds in sleeping alone which allows her to take the potion in privacy. Juliet worries about the Friar's intentions before the potion takes effect and she falls asleep...

Lady Capulet and the Nurse are busy making preparations for the wedding.

It is 3 o'clock in the morning and now Capulet hearing music announcing Paris' arrival, tells the Nurse to wake Juliet.

The Capulet's learn that their daughter Juliet is dead. The wedding preparations are changed to those of a funeral.

Act V.

In Mantua, Romeo learns of Juliet's death, deciding to risk his own life by returning to Verona at once to see Juliet one last time.

Romeo also buys some poison from a local Apothecary.

Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that his letter informing Romeo that Juliet is not dead, did not reach Romeo.

Friar Laurence tries again to inform Romeo of his plan and heads off to the Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will soon awaken.

Paris mourns his bride that never was.

Romeo arrives, opening Juliet's coffin to look at his love one last time.

Paris fights Romeo whom he believes is desecrating Juliet's grave. Paris dies, Romeo placing him beside Juliet.

Romeo takes his poison, kisses Juliet and dies. Friar Laurence arrives too late.

Juliet, now awakens, asking for her Romeo. Friar Laurence leaves, leaving Juliet alone.

Juliet kisses Romeo and stabs herself, dying.

The Prince, Capulets, and Montagues arrive, Balthasar and Friar Laurence explaining all.

Escalus scolds the two families who finally end their feud.

The play ends with the Prince summarizing this tragic love story.

The summary above is from

A resourceful website on Shakespeare: http://absoluteshakespeare.com

II.  1996 movie adaptation: 

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Leonardo DeCaprio as Romeo

 Claire Danes as Juliet

The background of the movie is changed from the city of Verona, Italy, several hundreds of years ago to the capital city of nowaday Brazil.  I think, the intention of this adaptation is to simulate and to re-create the same effects this play must have stirred up in the audience in Shakespeare's time. 

In other words, this movie would appear to us viewers in the 20th and 21th century just as in the same way this play appeared to the viewers several hundreds of years ago.

 One of the best examples is the object indicated by the word "sword":  In Shakespeare's time, it  is a fighting sword and in the movie that depicts our time, it refers to a pistal.  The effect that a fighting sword created in the viewer's mind hundreds of years ago is similar/equivalent to that aroused by a pistal in our mind.

In spite of the changes of time, the lines delivered by the characters and the plot of this tragedy remain unchanged in this movie to stay faithful to the original play by William Shakespeare.  This is the reason why the title of the film is called "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet."

In comparison, the 1999 adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" is entitled "Shakespeare in Love," which is a made-up story accounting how this love tragedy was created by Shakespeare.

III. 1999 movie adaptation: 

Shakespeare in Love

 Gwyneth Paltrow as Shakespeare's love 
 Joseph Finennes as William Shakespeare

This movie is a fictional story about how the play  "Romeo and Juliet" came about. The story tells the audience that  Shakespeare created this play from his own life experience with a woman he loved but had to give up. 

The movie described a  love story between the poor playwright/actor Shakespeare and Viola, a rich merchant's daughter, who was free-spirited to explore her own talents but was about to marry a  nobleman through the arrangement of her parents.

As this love relationship developed in Shakespeare's life, the story of "Romeo and Juliet," as we know it, was also taking shape under Shakespeare's pen.  Viola's fearless love greatly inspired Shakespeare, who then used his talents to complete the script and to put it on the stage.   

By transforming  life experience into a masterpiece of drama, Shakespeare had made a name for himself  before the Queen and rightly on his way to become a successful playwright. At the same time, Viola got married with the nobleman and had to say goodbye to Shakespeare and sail for Virginia, a ne plantation

The sorrows of parting  Viola could never be mended for Shakespeare and he resolved that Viola would be the horoine for every play to come under his name. One of the immediate examples was "The Twelfth Night," in which the heroine was named Viola.

The imperfection in reality is mended and transformed by the beauty of art.  This is the main theme addressed in the movie.

The intricate relationship between reality and art has long been an important issue for human creativity:  The dividing line between the two is hard to draw.  It is easy for people to get confused between the two and become deceived by art, as indicated by this definition of art:  Art is a lie that tells the truth.

Because the nature of art is a deceiving human fabrication that imitates, represents, and tranforms reality rather than presenting the true reality directly, Plato considered the artists to be dangerous for the whole  society and expel them from The Republic.

However, there are rare cases when art would "invade' reality become real. In Greek mythology, the sculpturor Pygmanion fell in love with the beautiful statue he had been working on, and then Venus transformed this piece of art to a real woman named Galatea to grant the artist's wish.

In the Ink Trilogy (i.e., Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath) by Cornelia Funke, the hero Mo has an extra-ordinary power of reading the character(cretures) out of the book:  As he reads, the characters (creatures) in the book come out of the book and become alive in reality.  The transaction goes both ways:  human beings and creatures in reality can also be read into the book and become trapped in there untill someone reads them out again.

The dividing line between reality and the fictional art world becomes so elusive and dynamic in the Ink Triology.  This is where the magic lies.

In comparison, in the 1999 movie adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," the division between reality and art is distinctive:  Art compensates for the heart's deep loss in reality. This is one of the main themes for all forms of human creation around the globe, and this is the reason why this movie touches upon the hearts of many people.

IV. Cultural significance:

What are the main cultural issues addressed  in each of these two movies respectively?

The 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet is very faithful to the original play by Shakespeare, except that the background is set in our time. By so doing, the story is carried across the time barriers to approach the modern viewers:  The viewers experience the old story in the terms of modern days.

In contrast, the 1999 movie adaptation attempts to bring the viewers back to the sixteenth century and observe the cultural/social context  which yielded the story.  In other words, the movie is an account of  how the story of Romeo and Juliet was produced by simulating the cultural background of Shakespeare's time.

By staging Shakespeare's original story in modern days, the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet  highlights (1) teenagers' perception of love  vis-a-vis the sophisticated and corrupted world of the adults,  (2) the different ways in which justice is carried out by clan/gangs and by society/country, and (3) the lack of communication and affections in child-parent relationship during teenagehood.

Different from the original Romeo and Juliet, which focuses itself on the issue of youthful love against hatred, the 1999 movie adaptation concerns adults' love vis-a-vis cultural/social barrriers.

Through the representiion of  sixteenth-century London, the movie foregronds several cultural/social issues specific to Queen Elizabethis time.

The first one is gender issue:  Women were banned from the stage and marriages are arranged by parents at that time. 

The second one is class divisions, such as the rich vs the poor and the nobleman vs the commoner.

The third one is the exploration and exploitation of the New world, i.e., North America, by setting up plantations in the new colonies.

The fourth one concerns the struggling of playwright/artists from dependents on entertaining show business  to  independent artists in drama/theatre.

Finally comes the central question:  Could the love between Shakespeare and Viola  go beyond the restraints of  all these cultural/social barriers?  How was their story going to end?

V. A temporary conclusion on the romantic stories and movies we have studied so far:

Love never withers in seperation and it never ends in death.

Do you believe in this?

What is your temporary conclusion?

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Girl with a Pearl Earring: the Painting, the Novel, and the Film

Photo source:
Introduction composed by Vinia  2009.9.14

I. Synopsis of the Story "Girl with a Pearl Earring"

 

The movie is an adaptation from the novel by Tracy Chevalier (2000) of the same title, which features an imaginary story about one of Vermeer's painging entitled "Girl with Turban" (1965).  This art-related novel weaves many cultural details and social records about Vermeer's time and his life into the invented story that has stemmping from the author's long-term reflections on every detail of the features of the woman featured in this painting.

The identity of the young girl in the painting is unknown, and the painting has been considered as a study of a woman's head with Turkish turban.

Chevalier's story goes as follows. Due to the fact that father could not support the family anymore, Griet came to the house of Vermeer to serve as a maid and later also acquired the duties as his model and assistant because of her talents in appreciating art and her own Due to the fact that father could not support the family anymore, Griet came to the house of Vermeer to serve as a maid and later also acquired the duties as his model and assistant because of her talents in appreciating art and her own youthful beauty.

Vermeer's arch-patron had a sexual fantasy toward Griet and stoke a bargain with the painter: The master of the house will paint a portrait of the maid.

The paron's desire for Griet kindled Vermeer's desire too, but the painter managed to sublimate his desire with the activity of painting. In art, Griet was his muse and the object of admiration, but in reality he knew clearly that he had a family of many children and she was just a maid.

Out of her admiration for Vemeer and bacause of her social status as a maid, who was supposed to follow the master's will, Griet pierced her ears, wore the pearl earring that belonged to Vermeer's wife and smuggled secretly onto Griet's ear to complete the painting, and posed an arousing posture.

As a young girl, Griet gave away all she had cherished and held sacred for Vermeer's and for art's sake. However, when the painting was done and when Vermeer's wife found out about Griet's transgression of wearing her earring, Vermeer had to let Griet leave the house to pacify his wife.

II. A Comparison between the two different endings of the story

The ending of the story in the film is different from that in the novel, and through this discrepancy the director reveals a different expectation for the heroine, Griet. On the issue of a young woman's awakening from her social postions and her decisions to decide her own fate, the director has a strong feminist concern from the 21th-century perspective, while the author considers more about Griet's chances of breaking through the confines of the social conditions in the 17th-century Holland.In the story, Griet was trapped in many snares.

 For the painter Vermeer, Griet served the double roles of assitant and Muse, who inspired him and helped him. For the art collector/sponser, Griet was but another sexual object and her painting, another piece of art collection for private sexual fantasy. For Vermeer's mother-in-law, Griet was just instrumental--to help his son-in-law complete painting and earn some money. For Vermeer's wife, Griet was an intruder and a threat.

Caught in this web of interhuman relation and situated in different positions, Griet finally woke up from her dream of being a Muse and faced the cruel reality that she was just a maid. As a husband and with the painting finished, Vermeer was in no position to protect Griet anymore. His committment to her and need for her were simply in art world, not in reality. Griet was forced to leave.

In the novel, Griet married Peter and became a butcher's wife and mother of two sons. Peter never asked Griet about the ear piercing and they lived a good and happy life. Vermeer died in poverty and most of his possesstions had to go through auction. In his will, he deliberately indicated that the pair of pearl earrings should go to Griet: In his mind, Griet matched with the pearl earring and he requested to see Griet's painting again before he died. After Griet received the earrings, she sold them and used the money to pay the debt Vermeer's family owed Peter, for she thought that a butcher's wife was in not position to war pearl earrings.

In the movie, Griet just went home to resume her role of a daughter. When the pair of pearl earrings arrived in her hands, she realized that her contribution to Vermeer's family was finally recognized and her devotion to be Vermeer's model and assitant was finally appreciated. The director of the film seemed to leave Griet's marrital decision open: Her decision to marry Peter or not was not related with the incident at Vermeer's house. She didn't have to rush a marriage after quitting the job at Vermeer's house.

III. Vermeer's paintings adopted in the novel/film:

These paintings are used as visual references for both the novelist and the movie director to re-create the scenes, the settings, the costumes, and possible drama that happened in Vermeer's art studio.

The Maid with the Water Jar

The scene portrayed in this painting is reproduced in the movie with exact accuracy.

The Maid Pouring Water

This painting is mentioned in the movie by the other maid came before Griet:  "Master Vermeer painted me pouring the water."

The Girl with a Pearl Earring

The identity of the girl in the painting is unknown to any art historians. Her image has long triggered the viewer's imagination and led the emergence of speculation and wpoven stories around her.  The novel entitled The Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the best examples.

Vermeer's House seen from the street

Vermeer's studio was located on the second floor of this building, where the sunshine shone in the room through the glass window with brightness that provided Vermeer's masterpieces with light and shadow.

The Allegory of Art

(featuringVermeer's studio and himself from the back)

This painting was used as a show piece for Vermeer to attract patrons who came to his art studio considering whether to commission him a painting or not.

In this painting, Vermeer portrayed himself as a fashionable painter laboring on the depiction of the laurel leaves crowned on the head of the Muse, Clio. This painting embodies Vermeer's confidence in himself,  his pride in the profession of an artist, and his belief in the glory he would finally acquire in the art world.

Vermeer cherished this painting all his life and never attempted to sell it. After he died, his wife tried to hide this painting from the public auction of Vermeer's possessions with no avail.

Pregnant Woman Reading Letter

 (featuringVermeer's wife in his studio)

Vermeer and his wife had all together 13 children, so during their marriage life, Catherina was often seen pragnant with child.  Vermeer did paint his wife, as in this paitning; however, in the novel/film, Catherina was portrayed as an artist's wife that failed to understand her husband's art and never sat for him as a model.

Painting comments by Vinia

The Twilight Saga by Staphanie Meyer

Twilight Saga  by Stephenie Meyer

暮光之城系列 四部曲

作者:史蒂芬妮･梅爾

Reading Notes by Vinia
維妮亞 讀書筆記

2009.7. 4.

Discussion Topics:  What is the main theme conveyed in the four books of the Twilight Saga, i.e., Twilight (I), New Moon (II), Eclipse (III), and Breaking Dawn (IV)? In each individual book, is there a seperate issue that the author endeavors to address?







Twilight Saga I: Twilight
第一部: 暮光之城




這部小說是兩大文學題材的媒合: 吸血鬼與狼人的地方傳奇故事與普世青少年的愛情故事.然而,作者在傳統主題上作了反映時代潮流的翻新,例如:少數族群的身份認同與文化傳承議題.


以吸血者庫倫家族而言,他們不因血緣而結合,而是以素食吸血者的價值觀來組成家庭群體.核心價值創立者,也就是庫倫家的大家長卡萊爾,主張運用意志力,抗拒人血的誘惑而只去吸食其他動物的血,並在隱藏自己吸血者的身份下融入人類社會,自己甚至學醫行醫來拯救人類性命.


他的苦衷是:原本身為人類,在不可抗拒的情況下遭吸血鬼注入毒液而轉化成食血者,但他不願泯滅人性而成為侵害人類的怪物.


而對具有狼人血統的北美當地原住民而言,由於他們具有瞬間變身巨狼的爆發力與保衛族人和當地社區人類不受吸血鬼攻擊的重責大任,他們對自己的血緣認同與族群價值觀的認識和實踐就成為生命成長過程非常重要的課題,也是族群文化是否能繼續承傳下去的關鍵.


以具有狼人族長直系血統的雅各為例,體內埋藏的狼人基因由於吸血鬼在當地的重新出現(庫倫家搬回了離開數十年的福克斯小鎮郊區,而遊走各地掠食的漫遊吸血鬼也正流連福克斯附近)而被誘發之後,他應該要繼承衣缽,長成後擔任正逐漸增加數目的年輕狼族的首領與族群酋長,繼續與吸血族誓不兩立的百年對抗戰爭.


但是,他的自由意志與道德判斷是否容許他不顧眼前現實而持續曾祖父輩的老路,與吸血者相互仇視與敵對? 還是,他有足夠的獨立判斷與抉擇勇氣,能與既定的傳統觀念對抗,另闢蹊徑,領出一條新的,合乎時代潮流的雙贏道路? 這是透過雅各這個角色,作者所要探索的關於傳統文化思維的遞變與延續,以及相異族群之間打破成見,共存共容的議題.

作者的創新之處除了在傳統主題上反映時代文化潮流的重要議題,也在於更新這源自於歐洲的古老吸血鬼故事,把它從歐洲舊版刷新,成為美國本土化的新版.翻新的版本中,腐朽的吸血鬼類型轉變成青春派的美國高中生,並且帶入流行文化誘人的感官與時尚元素,使原本神秘恐怖的陰沉角色,明亮化,偶像化,摩登化,異能化,甚至奢侈化,貼近青少年次文化族群所嚮往的夢幻典型.


縱觀庫倫家族成員,他們兼具流行時尚與出眾的美形美姿,除了高級,昂貴與高品味的物質生活,同時又具有異能秉賦,有的能讀人心思(愛德華),有的能預見未來(艾利絲),有的能散播正向的穩定情緒而扭轉劍拔弩張的氛圍(賈斯柏),形成了在人際關係,自我保護與社會活動上的強大優勢.


在小說情節中,作者並沒有詳述這些異能的實際經濟效益.也沒有明白描述他們是如何累積財富,經營資產並持盈保泰.但是,庫倫家的車庫就像是世界頂級名車展示廳,還不時更換全球限量極品新車款.艾利絲的衣櫥總是掛滿了時尚名牌新衣,全部都只穿一次就丟棄回收.而愛德華大方地饋贈貝拉數克拉的鑽石作為畢業禮物,以閃亮鑽戒求婚,以兩部極至昂貴稀有的名車分別作結婚前禮與後禮.


所以,庫倫家族雖然鮮少與人類交往,以免身分曝光,但在物質生活與時尚感上卻符合讀者對大企業家族或貴族的期待,而把他們當作淑女名媛,名人公子般來看待.


然而,作者並不想教導讀者如何理財,卻像個賣冰淇淋的魔術師,給讀者引頸期盼的最愛口味,讓他們在感官與情感上著迷瘋狂,隨著體內分泌的青春賀爾蒙飆升,對書中人物與情節愈加迷,形成暮光之城的流行風潮.


除了標榜美貌與時尚,作者也操弄著人類集體潛意識裡對無限體能與超強戰力的深深迷戀.之前的大眾文化裡,人們對蜘蛛人,蝙蝠俠,超人,斯巴達三百壯士的狂熱都是這集體潛意識的冰山一角.


本書中,吸血族群具有頂尖掠食者的敏銳感官,超凡速度,同時力大無窮,戰技卓越.愛德華最愛擒拿美洲山獅,艾密特喜與北美灰熊搏鬥.而且,這雄健的體能是永垂不朽,永保年輕的,不需要睡覺,不需要吃東西,不需要呼吸,做愛做的事不需要停下來休息.


以愛德華為例,他可以單手抵住並推開衝向貝拉的廂型車,救她一命.他可以背起她,在山林間極速奔馳,或爬上高高的樹巔,一滴汗也不流.他可以不費吹灰之力地跳進貝拉位於樓上的窗,無聲無息地,並以紳士姿態整夜觀賞沉睡中的貝拉,拂曉再飛奔回家換衣服,然後開車來載貝拉上學.


愛德華這些超人的體能特質,加上超凡的美貌與浪漫的情愫,深深地挑動著每位讀者內心對英雄與情人的雙重想望,既崇拜又愛慕,挑逗著人類身體與心理的性渴望.


貝拉最常呢喃的一句內心獨白道出了些許端倪: “每當看到愛德華那俊美的臉龐,或當他碰觸到我的時候,我就感到一陣昏眩,腦筋一片空白,臉上一片紅暈….”而當陽光直接照射到愛德華,他的肌膚映射出細碎鑽石璀璨的光華時,貝拉只能失神地讚嘆: “你好美,你好美….”


貝拉所感受到的正是一股強烈的性的吸引力與青少年賀爾蒙特有的,電光火石般的,刻骨銘心的,以身相許的,雖死不悔的,毫不考慮的,全心投入的初次愛戀.這濃烈與堅定,不僅使在身心面臨快速成長的青少年讀者驚異神往,更讓面對愛情淡去,年華老去的成人讀者感受到相當的刺激!因為羅密歐與朱麗葉之間生死相許的熾烈愛情比較可能發生在青少年身上.


很多成年人已經忘了他們曾經如此愛過,或者他們在青少年時期不曾這樣愛戀過.


若問: 美貌與時尚,經濟與學養,體能與體貼—這些因素綜合起來,或單獨分開來看,哪一(些)個對貝拉的愛情有舉足輕重的影響力? 正確答案恐怕不在這些選項裡: 性的吸引力與下了決心的愛--“集所有沙漠的水分為一滴.”


我們很難斷定究竟是什麼因素促成了愛德華與貝拉的連結,因為愛情很難講條件,或列公式,也要看彼此基因之間的媒合與賀爾蒙的反應.儘管貝拉的倩影也在書中其他的男性角色心中,搖搖曳曳,揮之不去,特別是純人類的麥克與狼人雅各,但是她的心是歸屬愛德華的,這是貝拉的意志.至於這群青少年彼此之間的愛情與友誼的發展,就要看接下來的第二部—新月.




Twilight Saga II: New Moon
暮光之城第二部: 新月




新月故事裡的愛德華基於保護貝拉不被其他吸血者攻擊的深情厚意而斷然絕然地與貝拉分手,並舉家遷移.


在庫倫全家驟然離去又再歸來之間的空隙中,培育了一段重要的情誼: 貝拉和雅各的交往.


愛德華消失後的貝拉變得槁木死灰,但是,在來自印地安保留區的陽光男孩—雅各--的陪伴下,貝拉一點一滴聚積生趣,恢復活力.兩人自在地玩耍,祕密地修機車,瘋狂地冒險,認真地作功課, 彼此的感覺是自在的,連動的,不能割捨的.

雅各了解貝拉,用歡笑幫助貝拉身心復元,成為貝拉重新站起來的安定磐石與躲避情傷的堅固避風港.貝拉對這一點非常感恩.漸漸地,雅各陽光般的溫馨滲透進貝拉最私密,最深層的自我,感覺上雅各也是她自己的一部分.


接著,貝拉對雅各啟動了強烈的保護欲,當雅各的狼族承傳者基因被誘發後,身體急速成長,開始變身狼犬,加入狼人族群, 雅各奉首領之命必須與貝拉拉遠距離,這時,貝拉不改初衷,對雅各表示出最堅持的保護與誠摯的關切.


這樣的情誼如何界定?特別是當愛德華—貝拉始終認定的唯一的,永恆的愛—再度出現時?或許,這正是作者拋給讀者去思索的問題.


觀察作者描述貝拉和雅各兩人相處時的文筆,自然流暢如陽光輕撫,溫馨有趣如波光跳躍,彷彿是在訴說自己與親愛的人(可能是家人,戀人,或者兩者重合)之間的日常愉快時光.這是人間真實的感情體驗.


不論在現實或故事情節裡,這樣內蘊的感情在時空釀造下,極可能發酵成明朗化的愛戀.但是,很顯然的,在新月故事提供的僅有的時間裡,貝拉因為主觀意識上對愛德華的認定而沒有跨越模糊地帶,坦然承認雅各為自己的戀人.而隨著愛德華的歸來,儘管雅各追求貝拉的行動策略受到挫敗,內心仍誠實地面對自己的感情,堅守愛的承諾,但對伊人的深情表白卻只能像打游擊戰一樣,伺機而動了.


反觀作者描繪貝拉和愛德華兩人時,充滿感官的迷戀與傾慕的憧憬,愛情與性吸引力的指數持續飆高,以結婚和結合為目標,像火箭一樣,排除任何阻力,疾速衝向天空.他們的愛情發展是整個暮光之城四部曲的主旋律,而貝拉與雅各的情誼也有發展成主調,開花結果的可能,但是,那就是叉開的另一個故事了.


作者似乎有意讓讀者打開心胸,探索這樣的可能性.畢竟現實生活中的愛情發展與結局未必隨順人意,但是,轉而與其他對象結成不同的組合也有幸福的可能.試問:如果作者再給貝拉和雅各多一點時間,他們之間會有何發展?他們絕對有機會可以幸福!至少,讀者可以這樣預期.


或許這就解釋了為什麼作者必須突然切換情節,急忙安排貝拉和愛德華兩人重逢而留下些許不合情理:一向深思熟慮的愛德華因訊息錯誤,以為貝拉自殺身亡,未親自回去福克斯查證便決定自殺相隨,同時艾利絲火速帶著貝拉前往救人,造成兩人相會,進而接續前緣.


如此的安排讓故事主軸又突然跳回貝拉和愛德華兩人的愛情奮鬥—就像之前庫倫全家突然地離去,深情厚愛的愛德華突然地與至愛分手一般地令人錯愕.這樣的軌道切換究竟有何用意?難道貝拉的情傷,雅各的用心用情,以及他們很有默契的快樂時光都只是船過無痕的插曲?


的確,雅各的重要性不僅僅是提供貝拉另一種愛情,另一種生活的選擇而已.身為狼族首領(酋長)的承傳者,雅各的性格與體能蘊藏著可觀的潛力與爆發力,令人期待他以後在領導狼人,保護人類,捍衛家園上的表現.


同時,他也是個充滿懵懂能量,正在摸索未來的青少年,隨時可能因為考慮不周或一意孤行而衝動闖禍.誠如貝拉父親查理說的:“他只是個孩子,別對他太苛刻.”


反而是他未來的表現--身為狼族首領與深愛貝拉的男孩—值得讀者觀察.我想他對貝拉的愛,狼族承傳的價值,與自身陽光的性情,必定可以引領他成長,走出自己的路,蛻變成一個男人.我怎麼知道?讀者的直覺:作者是把他當一個活生生的青少年來寫的—除了奇幻的狼人那部分.






Twilight Saga III: Eclipse
暮光之城第三部: 蝕




蝕的情節在流浪嗜血者維多利亞的暴戾行徑與飄忽行蹤的陰影下推展著.這個對人類,特別是針對貝拉,的恐怖威脅要到狼族與庫倫家人攜手合作,愛德華處決維多利亞才結束.


一直承受生命威脅的貝拉,儘管受到庫倫家嚴密的保護,仍緊緊地想把握住來自印地安保留區的安全,溫馨與無憂—那是與快樂的雅各同在的感覺.


為了貝拉對雅各的保護之心與不能割捨之情,愛德華不斷開發他的容忍,耐心,與諒解,甚至學會放手.而雅各作為一個忠於自己與愛侶的血性青少年,也竭盡巧計讓貝拉面對自己不願承認之愛,以爭取彼此的幸福機會.


這個三角關係是劇情發展的紐帶:因為有共同對貝拉的愛,愛德華與雅各帶動起兩個可敬但敵對的族群之間的相互合作與瞭解,也由於貝拉穿梭於不同族群,讀者才能一窺各族群的價值觀與文化承傳,產生多元文化的瞭解與尊重.


故事結尾,愛德華與雅各已能相互欣賞.面臨貝拉婚姻的選擇,雅各縱然心碎,也決定了自己在貝拉生命中的位置:朋友.








Twilight Saga IV: Breaking Dawn
暮光之城第四部:破曉




破曉故事的重心在探索跨越物種所衍生的未知問題:貝拉(人類)與愛德華(食血者)的愛情結晶在法統與生物分類 (基因)上歸屬哪一個族類?


這孩子會遭到規範吸血者行為的意大利王族的嚴厲制裁嗎?
貝拉在成為新生食血者後的性情與秉賦有什麼變化? 她還會保有人類的感情記憶嗎? 狼人雅各原本是她人類自我的一部分,在她跨入新生之後,他如何自處?


在雅各無怨無悔地守護貝拉,新生兒和庫倫家族之後,作者給了雅各一個大禮:貝拉的女兒是雅各銘刻(命定)的對象,而且他們的基因數竟然一樣!更驚人的是愛德華對雅各的態度:他叫雅各「我的朋友,我的兄弟,我的兒子.」


敵對的族群,相剋的承傳與相斥的情敵,在共同的無私大愛中,達到了相知,相惜,相融與相愛.在這部青少年愛情小說的結尾中,作者透露出這樣的願景.

Griet's positions and decisions in "The Girl with a Pearl Earring"

I. Synopsis of "The Girl with a Pearl Earring"

The movie is an adaptation from the novel by Tracy Chevalier (2000) of the same title, which features an imaginary story about one of Vermeer's painging entitled "Girl with Turban" (1965).
Due to the fact that father could not support the family anymore, Griet came to the house of Vermeer to serve as a maid and later also acquired the duties as his model and assistant because of her talents in appreciating art and her own youthful beauty.
Vermeer's arch-patron had a sexual fantasy toward Griet and stoke a bargain with the painter: The master of the house will paint a portrait of the maid.
The paron's desire for Griet kindled Vermeer's desire too, but the painter managed to sublimate his desire with the activity of painting. In art, Griet was his muse and the object of admiration, but in reality he knew clearly that he had a family of many children and she was just a maid.
Out of her admiration for Vemeer and bacause of her social status as a maid, who was supposed to follow the master's will, Griet pierced her ears, wore the pearl earring that belonged to Vermeer's wife and smuggled secretly onto Griet's ear to complete the painting, and posed an arousing posture.
As a young girl, Griet gave away all she had cherished and held sacred for Vermeer's and for art's sake. However, when the painting was done and when Vermeer's wife found out about Griet's transgression of wearing her earring, Vermeer had to let Griet leave the house to facify his wife.

II. A Comparison between the two different endings of the story

 

The film entitled "Girl with a Pearl Earring" was adapted from by Tracy Chevalier's novel of the same title. Centered around Vermeer's 1665 painting of an unknown girl with turban, this invented story deals with the issue of a young woman's awakening from her social postions and her decisions to decide her own fate.

For the painter Vermeer, Griet served the double roles of  assitant and Muse, who inspired him and helped him. For the art collector/sponser, Griet was but another sexual object and her painting, another piece of art collection for private sexual fantasy. For Vermeer's mother-in-law, Griet was just instrumental--to help his son-in-law complete painting and earn some money.  For Vermeer's wife, Griet was an intruder and a threat. 

Caught in this web of interhuman relation and situated in different positions, Griet finally woke up from her dream of being a Muse and faced the cruel reality that she was just a maid.  As a husband and with the painting finished, Vermeer was in no position to protect Griet anymore.  His committment to her and need for her were simply in art world, not in reality. Griet was forced to leave. 

In the novel, Griet married Peter and became a butcher's wife and  mother of two sons. Peter never asked Griet about the ear piercing and they lived a good and happy life. Vermeer died in poverty and most of his possesstions had to go through auction.  In his will, he deliberately indicated that  the pair of pearl earrings should go to Griet:  In his mind, Griet matched with the pearl earring and he requested to see Griet's painting again before he died.  After Griet received the earrings, she sold them and used the money to pay the debt Vermeer's family owed Peter, for she thought that a butcher's wife was in not position to war pearl earrings.

In the movie, Griet just went home to resume her role of a daughter.  When the pair of pearl earrings arrived in her hands, she realized that her contribution to Vermeer's family was finally recognized and her devotion to be Vermeer's model and assitant was finally appreciated. The director of the film seemed  to leave Griet's marrital decision open:  Her decision to marry Peter or not was not related with the incident at Vermeer's house.  She didn't have to rush a marriage after quitting the job at Vermeer's house.

III. Discussion topic:  Which ending do you prefer?  Why?

42 comments:


1. Vinia said:
I support Griet's decision to marry Peter, the butcher, after she left Vermeer's house. There are several reasons. For one, Griet and her family would have meat at dinner table and none of them would starve. In the future, Griet would have children, and they would be raised with enough food. I think this is one of the basic requirements for a marriage to stand. Do you think I am too practical?
2. Jocelyn said...

I prefer the ending with the novel. After all, she needed to face the reality. I think Griet's love affair with Mr. Vermeer is nothing but a fantasy. I don't think she would own happiness being with Mr. Vermeer because there'd be lots of issues suspended; it's the 17th century, though. She would own the true happiness being with Peter, the one she's been with; they love each other for one thing. Besides, she'd be able to feed her family and have a stable life.

3. Angela said...

I prefer the ending of the movie that Griet left Vermeer's house and came back home. The movie's end inspires readers to use their creativities to think about what would happened after Griet got the pearl earrings and lets audiences themselves to decide the ending in their minds. Another reason is that the ending of the book seems too satisfactory. It's like that most of people are used to a perfect and beautiful ending just like all fairy tales'.

4. Julia said

I perfer the movie ending as I think Griet need some time to think about what she wants in her future life after all. If she married Peter right away after leaving Vermeer's house, it might show that she just wanted to escape from the nonrecognition of the Vermeers. Griet played too many roles for them, and she might lost herself as well.(Just like what Pro. Vinia mentioned that she once dreamt being a Muse and forgot about her role in the reality.) So, if she just made the decision immediately, she might lose the judgement to tell whether she really needed a man to rely on. If there is really a true love between Peter and Griet. She would still marry him after a thoughtful consideration.

5. Vinia said:

Jocelyn made a point by stating that between Griet and Vermeer there was fantasy. However, this fantasy is so true and so real in the art world but it won't stand in reality. We can see that after Vermeer's wife found out the painting and got very emotional, Vermeer didn't choose to defend Griet. (Of course, the painting was completely and there was no place for Griet in Vermeer's art world for the time being.)

Griet was forced to leave Vermeer's house and with her departure, she was excluded from the art world and stepped into a world that she called "reality." There is a division between art and life, a differentiation between fantasy and reality. However, art swings in between: Art is a lie that tells the truth; art is fantasy that reveals the truth of reality.
6. Michelle said:
Whoever left the comment above me made a really good point on how art works in this movie, how it tells the truth of reality. i actually prefer the book version because that's where Griet belongs to in terms of social status, that's where she'd find herself and that's the kind of life she is born to have, you know, worked as a maid formerly and then being together with peter the butcher afterward. I think happiness is one of the most important things in life and if Griet is being described to live happily ever after then i don't see why i'd go against the novel ending. After all, Vermeer is taken and is not allowed to fall in love with any other woman beside his wife, according to morality.

7. Annie said:
I like the endling of the movie since Griet choosed the one who fits her. Besides, I am not in for taboo love. Vermeer should be responsible for his marriage.

8. Eva said...

I support Griet to get marry with Peter like the ending in the novel. Although i think there is nothing wrong to fall in love with whoever you have the "special feeling" to, even in the case like Griet and Vermeer. However, when it comes to marrige things are not that simple and esay anymore. I think it is very important for a woman to choose the "right spouse" since once you fail the price you pay will be your percious youthhood and the happiness of you and your family. Marry to Peter, the one who loves her very much and she likes, should be the best not only for her but also for the sake of her whole family. Even though we all know that as a butcher can't amke a lot of money and, of course, will not afford to buy luxuries such as jewelries, but at least it is a stable job which can ensure you to have a regular income and can also make a living. For instance, Griet's parents can have a better living condition and get better care; at the same time, most importantly, for the first time in her life she can finally get a chacne to be her own master which means that she no longer need to follow or obey what others want or tell her to do. She can have the freedom to do what she wants to do without asking/ begging for others' permission. Besides, marry to someone who loves you more than you love him is always better than to marry someone you love more than he does. So I think that marry to Peter is the right choice for her.

9. Daisy said:
I agree with the movie's ending that Griet should have a second thought for her future. The love between Griet and Vermeer is so fantasy, and even ambiguous that makes others will guess whether or not they overstep the relationship between maid and master. If Griet choices novel’s ending to marry Peter, it makes Peter become “cuckold” that will be jeered in his whole life. So I think Griet not only should think about her future, but also should stand in Peter’s shoes.

10. Betty said:
I feel the ending of the movie is too ambiguous for audience to understand the inner meaning; therefore, I prefer the happy ending of the novel that Griet and Peter become couples, and I have the following reasons. First, I think that Peter loves Griet pretty much and once promises her to give her stable life if she marries him. Second, Peter doesn’t mind that Griet is a maid, and he always be the one who really care for her. Third, Griet doesn’t have to be a maid to obey other’s words anymore if she marries to Peter, and she also won’t be teased by bad bigwigs. Finally, I think that Griet will never own happy life if she chooses to be Mr. Vermeer’s mistress. Those are the reasons why I prefer the ending of the novel.

11. Lillia said:

Actually, no matter what Griet chooses to marry a butcher or to remain single, it would depend on what she wants. At the ending of the movie, Griet is going to be single and doesn’t get married with her boyfriend, Peter. Nowadays, there are most of the woman would still like to be a lovely bride, and some of them do want to have a reliance. So I think it’s a kind of feminism to revise the story’s ending. For me, it is a pity for Griet to marry a butcher or remain single, I prefer to see the happy ending that she find her true love.

12. Joy said:

After comparing the endings in the novel and in the movie, I prefer the ending in the movie which was that Griet went home and played the role of a daughter. Because of the rising raising feminine consciousness nowadays, I don’t think Griet should follow the traditional norms. In my opinion, the move seemed to enhance the position of women, telling that the devotion of women should be respected and appreciated not being taken for granted. On the other hand, the choice of Griet was right because there is no need for her to be in the haste to marry someone as soon as she left Vermeer’s house.

13. Ann said:
I prefer the ending of the movie. For Griet doesn't do anything wrong, she should have the rights to determine her own future. She can even be an artist herself for having the talent. The fact that Griet has the talent and the passion for painting shouldn't be denied and ignored only because of her social status. Besides, it's not her own will to work with Vermmer. It's the Vermmer's wife who asks Griet to clean the studio at first. She just plays her role-- to be an obedient maid and accept the commands. It's just a job. And she herself knows that. Therefore, there is no need for her to prove or explain to anybody. She can just be herself.

14. Annie said:
I personally like the ending of the movie since Griet chooses the one who fits her. Besides, I am not in for taboo love. Vermeer should be faithful with his marriage.

15.  Vinia said;

The movie tells us that we should not decide to get married simply because we meet some troubles at the work place. If Griet decided to get married in order to have meat to eat, to work, and to have a family, she would be very practical and realistic. Was Griet such a down-to-earth woman? Maybe not yet! Therefore, I think the movie has a more resonable ending.

16. Vinia said:
I think the novel has a better ending than that of the movie because marriage requires good compatibility in social status. A maid and a butcher can make a good couple, while a maid and a painter have a wide divide between them, especially when the painter is already married with many children. Marriage has a good start when the two are compatible from social, cultural, and economical perspectives. This is normally the case, but not always.
17. Alexa
I think to merry is to make a big decision. It can't be put in a rush way! I also think that two poeple should have the similar background and should be single of course. Iknow that there re some exception in the world , also a lot on the TV. But those case are" exception", not"always".

18.Ella said:
I agree with the ending of the movie. I would say that she fell in love with Peter and Vermeer at the same time. I really do not think it is a good idea to make a decision soon after she left. It is very important to clear one's mind before you might do anything regretful.

19. Jasmine said:

I prefer the moving ending.

In fact, I was confused after watching this movie, it seemed that everything remainded unsolved and I actually kind of disliked the movie kept so many things unclear. However, now I understand the idea this movie tries to convey after reading this article, instead of chooseing the book ending, I prefer the movie ending. It is better and much more interesting to leave the end open for us to imagine, the movie version makes this story profounder.

20. Bahyan said:

I think it will be wise for Griet to stay single for a period of time rather than rushing to marry Peter for these reasons: firstly, she needs more time to think about her future life and to make up her mind about her marriage. Secondly, if she chooses to marry Peter right after leaving Vermeer's house, it shows her weakness of not being able to overcome the difficulties in her life, and it also shows that she wants to marry him not because she loves him but because she wants to run away from her previous problems and feelings. Moreover, we don’t know whether her love for Peter is a real one or it’s only an Eros for whenever she sees Vermeer and his wife close to each other, she goes to Peter to empty her sexual desires which makes us to doubt about her love for Peter. Therefore, if she marries him and once she finds that she does not really love him, I don’t think she will be happy about it. After all, marriage decision making is far much greater than only meeting someone and rushing to marry him or her because marriage is not only about desire or food or having a spouse in life, but it is about love, respect, sharing opinions ...and etc. Furthermore, prior to marriage, one should take into account the fact that one’s spouse will be her or his partner in her or his life. For all the above reasons, I think it is better for Griet to remain single for a period of time.
21. Jennifer said...

Since Griet deciding her lover and marriage herself echoes feminism, I prefer the ending in the movie. Griet acting independent proves female are not necessary to rely on males.

Personally, I agree with the movie director’s arrangement of Griet: Leaving more space to Griet to think over about her own future. During the time Griet staying at home, she could cool down her fancy to Vermeer; Also, Griet perhaps would neither choose marry to Vermeer nor Peter. To live on her own probably violates the context, A.D. 1665; however, leaving Griet alone at the end of the movie absolutely implicates Griet would make her way out of the mess on her own. As long as Griet have more time, she is allowed to absorb various ideas so to improve her decision on whatever her marriage or her lover.

To talk about her marriage, I hope she’ll marry to the butcher. For the reason that I’ve already known Vermeer would bankrupt in the near future. At least, Marrying to Griet would neither starve nor worry about debt.

22.Mark said:

I prefer the movie’s ending. But, to be honest, I have no idea about what the ending is trying to tell us until I finish reading teacher’s article. The movie’s ending does not explain why the old fat maid gives Griet these pearl earrings. And it really confuses me. However, I think it is a good ending. Why? It gives the audience a huge space to imagine. It could be that Vermeer’s wife does not want to wear the earrings anymore for those have been stained by Griet. It could be that Vermeer’s daughter thinks those belong to Griet. It has lots of possibilities. Therefore, it gives the audience subjects to talk about after walking out the theater. And, it gives the audience a desire to look for the truth of the ending.
23. Ronne said:
I have wondered Griet’s hair since the beginnig of this moive. Why does she have her hair covered? Is it a custom? However, it is still a mistery after I have finished this moive. Besides, I admire Vermeer’s talent of art. His paintings are so vivid, especially, the portrait of Griet. But, I have sympathy for Griet. She is such a traditional woman in that time. Although Griet gets married with Peter, I think she jsut hides the feeling of Vermeer in her mind.

24. Angela Chen said...

I prefer the ending with the novel. The story should give readers the right to know what will happen for this poor maid. In the novel, Griet gets married and Vermeer bankrupt finally. This is what I would like to see.

25. Jimmy said...

I prefer the movie version, but just like others, I was confused when seeing the end of the movie. After reading the comparison Vinia made, I got more about it. Furthermore, I am agree with Bahyan's point of view. I think Griet has a explorative timid personality. She is trying to pursue what she really wants. However, leaving the ex-master's home and marrying a butcher seems to be a doubtful choice, doesn't it?

26.Grace said...

In my opinion,i would prefer the ending of the novel.Everyone needs a person who is really care about him/her,and who will always be there. So do Griet.For her,Peter is the one who could do these stuff,and he is the one who could give her a better life rather than beig a maid. Of course she has the rights to choose the life she wants,and i do believe that she finds that Peter is a good choice for her,both in the reality and in the mental part.

27. Cindy said...

I would prefer the ending which is written by the novel. In the novel version, Griet become the wife of the butcher after all the bad things passed. The reason why I like this kind of ending is because that I think Griet should have a happy life after she was forced to leave Vermeer's house, she deserved it. I also like the arrangement of the pearl earings, no matter how did Griet deal with them, she deserved it, too.

28.Gladys said...

Actually, I was not surprised when I heard the ending in the book which Griet married Peter. I think they like each other, so they have a happy ending. However, I don’t really understand the affections between Vermmer and Griet. I think Vermmer likes Griet but she is not sure her feeling with him. Maybe it is because Vermmer has a marriage and Griet is a maid, so the relationship between them is not easy to change. Therefore, I think Griet should clear out her feeling with Peter and Vermmer, and then she would make a better decision. So, the ending I prefer is that Griet married Peter than she is being with Vermmer.

29. Sharon said...

I think it was a right decision for Griet to remain single after leaving Vermeer’s house. The hostess was a crazy woman, and so did her mother. She was so arrogant that she never treated her maids well. She has bad temper; she got angry easily. She didn’t have to do anything at home. The only important thing she did was gibing a birth to her children. Therefore, if Griet stayed there, she might have to bear the pressure from the hostess.

If Griet married to the butcher, I don’t think she would be happy. Although the ending of the book is that Griet had two sons, I don’t think that was true love. I guess Griet might love Vermeer. She didn’t have to force herself to marry to a man that she didn’t love. Therefore, I think it was better to stay single and didn’t marry to anyone.



P.S I really don’t understand why borrowing the pearl ear rings from the hostess could make the hostess mad like that.

30. Vinia said...

Vermeer's wife is jealous of Griet, whose youthful beauty has apparently attracted the art patron in the first place. Trying to stir up the wife's insecurity to get even with Vermeer's protection of Griet from his claws, he mentioned to her that "Vermeer paints young girl." In addition, when the wife was wearing the pearl earrings, Vermeer turned to Griet and asked her to notice the light and shadow on the mistress' neck. Wearing pearl earrings is a symbol of social status and pride, but know her husband just ignore the attention she considered hers. Therefore, when she saw the painting, she realized a lot of cases of transgression here: Griet was painted; Griet knew about art; Griet looked very sexy; Griet had the symbol of her pride, i.e., the pearl earrings, etc. She could not bear it: She herself kept on producing babies and was aging rapidly. Furthermore, she was excluded from Vermeer's art world. However, Griet was excluded too: She was never to be part of Vermeer's life, nor family. What she lacked in her experience with Vermeer could be fulfilled in the life with Peter, except art, of course. Can we have everything in life? Can art and life be fulfilled at the same time? Or, art is a compensation for the imperfection of life?

31. Vinia said...

For Mark:

Hair is the symbol for wild passions, especially red hair. To hide one's hair is to keep you virginity and to hold your love fantasy at bay. To cover your hair and your face is to conceal your sexual longings and true self. At the same time, the covering also stops others from knowing your desire and passion.
32. Sunny said...

To remain single or to marry Peter? Of course, marry Peter would be a better choice. Not only that Peter could provide Griet financial support, but also true care. In the past, to marry someone was not because you did love him, but because what after marrying him, for example, he would provide you a better enviroment...etc. So for Griet's marriage to Peter is a better choice.

I prefer the novel's ending. The thesis of the movie centers on Griet's realization of her social status, and in the end of the novel, she had to face the reality and made the decesion.
33. Erita said...

I prefer the ending in the novel because Griet finally doesn't need to serve proud rich people anymore. Instead of being controlled, Griet can have her own complete happily family; she has a husband who loves her truely and two sons. In my opinion, no matter in the past or in the present, having a happily family is the best thing in the world for women.
34. Gary said...

I personally like the ending of the novel. it shows us a better view of whole story, so that won't leave a doubt about why the ring was given to Griet.
35. Steven said...

I like the ending of the movie because it can leave many possibilities of the story. its content is also close to our reality.
36. Lisa said...

I think I would prefer the ending of the movie. From the movie, Griet feels a connection to Vermeer. You can see their interaction; it's so ambiguous, just like a couple. But because Vermeer is married, they cannot make known their love.

And I also think Griet has a sublime sentiment. Her mind isn't clouded by material desires. So, she would not marry Peter, even though she will have a well-fed and well-clad life.
37. Lester said...

I'm Lester. I like the movie ending. After consideration, actucally, I prefer the movie's emphasis on her devotion to the artist, but not on her marriage decision.
38. Anita said...

Personally, i prefer the ending of the novel~it's always good to find somebody who loves you deeply and who can take care of you for the rest of your life.Sometimes when you follow your heart, it doesn't necessary lead to an happy ending.

I also like the part where the author set up that Griet sell the pearl earings for her master's(and lover's) debt. It seems at the end, any of the characters owe something to each other.

39. Jocelyn said...

I like the ending of the novel. Although being with a butcher may not lead a rich life, Griet and Peter still could have enough money to support their family. They could live a normal but happy life. Griet didn't have to be a maid anymore. She finally had the right to live her own life.
40. Melissa said...

What is Griet’s strongest desire? Which side should she turn to? The forbidden lover or the simple pursuer?

I think it would be better for Griet to stay with Peter. Undoubtedly, Peter may not be able to provide her as much material life as Vermeer may, however, less is more. Marriage isn’t just about the two more people but involves the whole family, the social circle and so on. The life being with Peter will be simpler and more peaceful even though the happiness seems plain, it lasts longer.

Pearl is the symbol of wealth and purity in the story; moreover, I think the process of forming a pearl is symbolic as well. When a clam is unable to get rid of an intruded foreign stimulus, it produces some kind of chemical element and wraps the foreign body. It takes a long time for a pearl to form, along with a lot of pain. The pearls on the earrings are so big and glossy, yet, they were made from tears of other livings.

41. Charlene said...

Before the movie came to the end, I was hoping that Griet and Vermeer would get together in the end in that I thought they loved each other deep in their heart, and loved ones ought to be together. However, to wish is one thing, but to face the reality is another thing. Sometimes we can’t just follow what we want but to take everything into consideration; therefore, we may need to throw away our wishes, hopes, and desires and succumb to the cruel reality—to live, to eat, to pay, etc. For me, love can conquer everything won’t be a suitable phrase to apply in the movie. The society in the movie played down the role of the heroine, the maid, quite unfair and lack of respect, let alone to love and receive equally like others. Therefore, the future for Griet might be better off if she marries to Peter.
42. Josie said...

Getting married with Peter might be a better choice for Griet. If she stayed single, she might be lonely for the whole life. Also, since she was so enchanting, being single might lead to more men's disturbance. But if she married Peter, she wouldn't be alone. Although they might not live a rich life, Griet got a family which could also bring her happiness. At least, she was not a maid and struggled for living.