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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Vermeer asked Griet to bring Catharina a glass of wine, what was she wearing?

2. Vermeer was using Griet for_____________.

3. What did Catharina's attack on the painting ultimately lead to?

4. What is the purpose of the final chapter of the novel?

5. What body part did Vermeer tell Griet she must bare?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Griet's hair symbolize?

2. What happened when Pieter met Griet's family at church?

3. How did Vermeer treat Griet differently after he saw her hair?

4. When Griet visits the Vermeers ten years later, in what condition is the family?

5. Why did Catharina seem to fear Griet?

6. What was most important to Vermeer?

7. What metaphorical ownership did Vermeer take over Griet?

8. What did Cornelia do with the tortoise shell combs?

9. What conflict did Vermeer's religion create for Griet's family?

10. How did Pieter become impatient with Griet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Griet's hidden hair symbolize? What happens when her hair is unleashed? Why does her hair represent sexuality?

Essay Topic 2

How does the Vermeer family background affect Griet? How does the background of the family influence Griet to behave in certain ways?

Essay Topic 3

What role do social and class differences play in creating a divide between some of the characters? How do these differences in class and social status create conflict? How do these differences lead to character development?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample