In 1664, Griet had to take a position as a
maid to support her family. She was sixteen. As a maid, everyone in the house
from the grandmother to the other maid and the children controlled her destiny.
If her family was to eat, she needed to navigate the conflicting demands of all
these overseers, a seemingly impossible task. Through her intelligence, psychological
insights, and integrity she prevails.
The household includes:
Johannes Vermeer: Historical Dutch painter. He
has little to say, but his word is never disputed.
Catharina: Proud wife, who is jealous of
everyone who receives attention from her husband, especially Griet.
Maria Thins: Catharina’s mother, who is more
powerful than her daughter, and often takes sides against her.
Tanneke: Senior maid.
Cornelia: Evil child.
Maertge: Good child.
Van Ruijven: Vermeer’s patron, who got a
previous maid pregnant.
Griet’s
family: Mother. Father who was blinded in a work accident. Younger sister,
Agnes, who died in a plague outbreak. Older brother, Frans, who ran away from
his apprenticeship.
Butcher’s
son, Pieter, who has his eye on Griet.
Griet takes
pride in doing a good job as a maid. Once she is in charge of the laundry, the
clothes are cleaner. She doesn’t complain when given extra work, or when
Tanneke purposely spills grease on the floor for her to clean, or when Cornelia
breaks a tile that was precious to her. She also does work for Vermeer, above her
ordinary chores.
Griet benefits
from her innate sense of color and composition. This natural talent provides
her with an opportunity to prosper working for Vermeer, but her ability to
understand people and tolerate her lowly position enables her success.
Girl in a Pearl Earring tells a story of a strong woman in dire circumstances overcoming
powerlessness through genius and tolerance.
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