Essay | Griet's Journey toward Self-Understanding in Chevalier's Novel Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring is told through the eyes of the protagonist Griet. Tracy Chevalier develops Griet's character from a naïve 16 year adolescent into a somewhat socially aware and acceptable adult. Several characters helped Griet find herself, including Vermeer, Maria Thins to an extent, Pieter the son and obviously her parents. Nonetheless, even though individual characters help Griet discover herself, her faith in the Protestant church carried her through. Life experiences from becoming a maid to marriage aided in reducing her naivety within in her surrounds.

Griet is introduced as a seemingly mature young adult in the opening scenes of the novel through which Chevalier aims to portray the beginning of her journey into an adult world. It is understandable that a young girl might feel intimidated in the presence of individuals such as Vermeer and Catharina. Although her brief conversation regarding vegetables...
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