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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. What color is the mantle that Catharina wears?

2. What did Pieter say that he thought would make Griet happy?

3. What item did Cornelia suggest that Catharina wear?

4. How did Pieter act toward Griet after they have sex?

5. What was the most important thing to Vermeer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Catharina react to the finished portrait?

2. What does Vermeer's will say about Griet?

3. What is the significance behind the names of Griet's children?

4. Why did Vermeer decide to paint Griet?

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

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

7. Did Pieter understand Griet?

8. How did Vermeer and Griet feel when the portrait was complete?

9. Why did Catharina seem to fear Griet?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role that one specific art piece in Girl with a Pearl Earring plays in the novel. For example, you may choose to describe the role of the crucifix painting that is disturbing to Griet.

Essay Topic 2

What happens when Griet's hair is exposed to Vermeer? How does this one event change her so much? Why does she become so affected by it?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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