Symbolism in "Girl with a Pearl Earring
The novel "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracey Chevalier delves into the symbolism of various objects such as the comb, knife, tile, hands, and the pearl earring itself. These symbols represent themes of identity, family ties, transformation, and social hierarchy as seen through the experiences of the protagonist, Griet, in the Vermeer household. Each object carries emotional weight and serves as a lens through which the character's journey is explored, offering insights into her relationships and personal growth.
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Symbols in Girl with a Pearl Earring Tracey Chevalier P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
The Comb The comb is one of Griet s most treasured and luxurious possessions that she brings with her to her new life in the Vermeer household . Although she is employed as a maid, it functions as a leveller- making her feel less inferior. Griet has to safeguard the comb from being stolen or destroyed (by Cornelia). Cornelia, in particular, is aware of it s sentimental value to Griet and uses it as leverage. As much as she has to keep the comb safe, she has to protect herself from the people around her. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
The Knife The knife is described at the outset of the novel when Griet first meets the Vermeer's. In the kitchen, his wife knocks the knife Griet has just used to chop vegetables off the table and onto the floor. Griet as the maid is supposed to pick up the knife even though it was not her to have dropped it. As it falls, it spins- the way the knife spins could be argued to symbolise the start of her new life and the way events in her life start spinning out of control. In some ways, it foreshadows how she has to adapt to her new life balancing on the edge as well as being made responsible for something caused by others. Also at the end of the novel, she is once again expected to pick up the knife. It is also dangerous and a potentially destructive. We can make links with what follows- that she secretly falls in love with Vermeer- we can draw a parallel between the knife and her relationship with him. It can be argued to allude to the hurt and scars Griet is yet to experience. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
The Tile The tile could be said to symbolise Griet s relationship with her family and it becomes a treasure for her. However, when Cornelia breaks the tile in two, she understands how far away she really is from her family. The image on the tile is of a girl and a boy. The boy could be argued to be her brother whom ends up leaving them forever, and the girl could be argued to be Griet. The broken tile can suggest that their childhood connections have ceased to exist. It could also be said to symbolise the loss of her sister and that her family are fractured. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
Her Hands Before she becomes a maid, Griet s hands are soft and untouched. As the novel progresses, her hands become hard, cracked and sore. Her hands symbolise the more complex and layered transformations within Griet during her time in the Vermeer household. Parts of her are being eroded and other parts are becoming hardened. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
The Pearl Earring The pearl earring facilitates her becoming a young lady for a fleeting moment. It briefly transforms her status. At the time the novel is set, only rich families could own such items of jewellery. Her piercing of her ears in order to wear the earring could be said to symbolise the pain she is willing to go through to honour her feelings for Vermeer. She initially does not want to pierce her own ear and the first time she faints. Her ear gets infected and becomes extremely uncomfortable and painful. However, she is willing to go through all of this pain for Vermeer. The earring penetrates her ear lobe, and in a way this has sexual undertones and could be said to symbolise men s desire. This sexual undertone is woven throughout the text. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
Her Cap Griet s cap is her shield against the world. It hides her hair and sometimes her face, and gives her a certain innocence and anonymity. After Vermeer had seen her hair revealed, she no longer felt she had something precious to hide and keep for herself. In a way, the cap liberated and empowered her. It gave her control of who saw her real self. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
The Painting of Griet Vermeer paint her in order to protect her from the lecherous Van Ruijven. This painting could be argued to be Vermeer s way of express his affection for Griet. Chevalier describes how Vermeer even borrowed the painting sometimes, to remember and to be able to look at her freely and for as long as her desired. P.M. Eberle 2020 / 2021 6A/B
