Girl with a Pearl Earring

by Tracy Chevalier

Mrs. KercherChapter 20 – Literature in History

Born 1962 Lived in Washington, DC then later moved to

London, England Worked as a reference editor for several years Girl with a Pearl Earring was her second novel

Author’s Background

Where did the idea for the writing of the novel stem

from? The idea to write the novel stemmed from the author’s curiosity as

to how Vermeer viewed the girl himself, causing him to paint her as a mysterious, expressionless yet beautiful figure. She was always curious as to what their relationship must have developed from for him to make her his subject.

 What provided details and backgrounds for the creation of

the characters? Many of the characters are from Vermeer’s real life, including his

family, mother in law, Maria Thins, and the maid Tanneke. The author based most of the characters that she created herself on what the subjects in his paintings appeared to be like; quiet and somewhat secluded just like his work from his personal life.

Writer’s Context

Delft, Netherlands

What is Calvinism?

The term Calvinism is used by various groups to identify their beliefs in a religion created by one of the most well-known leaders of the reformation, John Calvin. It is a series of theological beliefs that focuses on the supreme sovereignty of God and at the time was an alternative approach to the Christian life. Groups that call themselves "Calvinists" agree with the teachings of Calvin and The Five Points of Calvinism.

What was The Reformation? The reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517, was the movement which gave

rise to Protestant churches and the decline of the power of Roman Catholicism. Martin Luther began to criticise the power and corruption of the Pope and the Catholic Church. He believed that it was wrong for people to be able to buy forgiveness for sins they had committed. Luther's ideas and beliefs soon spread to other countries and gradually large numbers of people began to call themselves Lutherans or Protestants. Protestants were no longer willing to accept the authority of the Pope. They argued that people needed to read the Bible if they wanted to find out how God wanted them to behave. The Reformation sought to "reform" Christianity by returning it to original beliefs based solely on reference to the Bible and eliminating later additions which accumulated in the tradition.

Religious Context

What is Puritanism?

Puritanism was a religious reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the late sixteenth century. The English Puritans believed that the English Reformation had not gone far enough and that the church or England was still tolerating too many practices that were associated with the Church of Rome.

What are the main differences between the Catholic and Protestant Churches’ beliefs and practices? The Catholic church accepts the theory of evolution, but regards the human soul to be

a unique creation of God. Most conservative Protestants continue to reject evolution.The acceptance of homosexuals but not same sex behavior is morally neutral by the Catholic Church, but not by many conservative Protestants. The rejection of the death penalty by the Catholic church, and the continuing acceptance and its enthusiastic promotion by most conservative Protestants. Catholics place ultimate authority in the Pope. Conservative Protestants place it with the individual Christian and his/her interpretation of the Bible.  Catholics teach that the bread and wine during the mass becomes the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. Protestants generally regard the two components as only symbolic of Jesus' body and blood.

Religious Context

The 17th century was responsible for the development of the modern

world. It saw the grouping of social classes based on religion, financial success, working position and family name. Those more successful lived in better homes with better furnishings and usually larger and happier families. To be successful, a person would usually need proper connections, such as Vermeer and his art dealer, or else someone in the family with extreme talent or dedication. It was not easy to make a living in Europe in the 1600s. Towns were usually full of people of one religion, with the exception of cities such as the Protestant city of Delft where Catholics were accepted but not appreciated. Protestants were more common and there was tension in other parts of Europe between the two religions. Catholics were the minority and not respected among society. Families generally organized their daughters’ marriages, and sometimes their sons. This would benefit the family, the wealthier of the two families usually benefiting the poorer and setting them up for a better future in terms of financial and social status.

Cultural Context

As you read the excerpt, picture the city of

Delft in your mind. Write down key terms / phrases that provide

evidence for your visual. How does the character’s description of Delft

reflect what you have learned about the Reformation?

What details in the excerpt provide evidence of the Dutch’s economic success?

While You Read

Write the next scene to the story, in which

Griet meets the new family for whom she will work.

Use vivid details and imagery to draw in the reader’s attention.

Focus on your ideas, word choice, sentence variety and structure, and conventions. Refer to the rubric handout for more details.

Assignment

http://www.tchevalier.com/gwape/

This website provides further information on the author and painter. If you are not sure if you would like to read the entire novel, the first chapter is found here for you to preview.

Author’s Website