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.