This is a private blog between my 2013-14 JSA students and myself, concerning the topics discussed in our class. Generally, our discussions revolve around History, English and Art. Go JSA!
Friday, October 18, 2013
What do the pearl earring symbolize?
We've been discussing symbols, and symbols of power throughout the school year. Without giving too much away, I would love to hear your interpretations as to what the 'pearl earring' means in the story.
I think the pearl earrings symbolize Vermeer's love for Griet over his wife because he told Cathryn to give Griet the pearl earrings when he died. It also was used to when Griet was wearing them when Vermeer told her to wear them when he was doing a painting.
I'd like to believe that the pearl earring(s) symbolizes purity and beauty. I'd like to believe this because a pearl is an opalescent-white gemstone, and is a little hard to find. You can find pearls in clams, but you have to make sure that you find the special clam that actually has a pearl inside of it. When people think of a pearl, they mostly think of beauty, as it is hard to mark it up and it is simple. They also think of purity because of the whiteness of it. Weddings: the dress is usually white, the white doves, the white snow, people think of purity when they see white. A earring hangs on either side of the face, thus the pearl earring can help show your beauty, inner and outer.
The earrings are showing rank, they were probably very expensive and not many people could of afford them. Cathryn would have never dreamed that a maid that her husband like would wear her earrings. Once she saw the painting of Griet she knew that her husband cared for Griet more than her. That is why she got so mad at Griet. But she was very polite and humble giving the earrings to Griet, which would of been so hard.
I believe that the pearl earring symbolizes the power that Vermeer has in society. Also, that he trusted Greit so much, to the point that he went behind his wife's back and gave her the earrings. The earrings were protected by Catharina, only Maris Thins, Vermeer, and Catharina had access to them. However, Maria Thins gave them to Greit under the order of her son.
The pearl earrings symbolize the power that Vermeer has over his whole family. In my opinion, Maria Thins is the second most powerful figure in the household, second to Vermeer. That is because in all reality, she has very little control over Vermeer's paintings. She has little to no control over how long they take to create, who will be painted in them (Van Rajuiven wanting to be painted with Greit for example), and most importantly the use of Catherina's pearls. We know that Catherina's pearls are very dear to her, and are worn on special occasions, then locked in a jewelry box. To Maria Thins, they're a sign of nobleness or a higher social class (one Greit is not a part of) which causes her discretion to use them as a prop, along with respect for her daughters feelings. Lastly, to Greit, the pearls represent the woman she will never become, she will merely be a butcher's wife, a tile-maker's daughter, or a maid. Also, the piercing of the flesh is also a big deal for Greit, because she is marking her body. Something not acceptable within her faith, which she is deeply devoted to. But oddly, all of these people comply to Vermeers wishes, because when it comes down to it he is the figure with the most power, even after he is deceased.
(Casey Lawver. I can't change my name because this is my Google account that I use at home. I rather not give out my name. Sorry) I think the pearl earrings symbolize power, but also a form of trust. They symbolize power because, well... DUH, they're Catharina's. The woman Griet works for. Also, those are probably really expensive. However, they symbolize trust because Vermeer TRUSTS Griet with the earrings. And she did deserve that trust. In the beginning, you could see that she had to earn the bit of trust to enter his room. Then as the book went on, Griet earned more, and more of Vermeer's trust. She was able to pose for him when the origional modles could not make it. She was able to make his paint, then she was able to sleep in the attic! next thing you knew, he was painting her with his wife's pearl earrings. A symbol of power Griet felt she did not deserve.
Only rich families could own this jewelry. It could also be a symbol of the pain she is willing to go through because of Vermeer. She does not want to pierce her own ear, first time she faints. Her ear gets infected and becomes extremely painful. However, she goes through all of this trouble for Vermeer.
I believe the pearl earrings symbolize who Griet is and how Vermeer views her. Pearls are obviously pure white. White represents innocence and purity, and those are two words that can be used to describe who Griet is and the opposite of who Katarina is. Griet is an unmarried protestant, which also makes her a virgin. She belongs to no one but her parents, but when she scared herself by putting these earrings in, it's as if she's giving herself away. Also, the earrings represent Griet's innocence and foreshadows that she will remain innocent throughout the novel, which she is. Yet, she is still fired as the family's maid, even though she only did what her master asked of her. Which was too much. Peals are very beautiful as well, which is how I believe Vermeer sees Griet, as well as innocent and pure. This is why he allows her to work in his studio. He trusts Griet and enjoys being around her, as well. It seems that Griet is the exact opposite of Katarina in the story, yet the earrings they share both form a connection between each of them, and Vermeer.
I believe that the pear earrings symbolized the power Vermeer had over Griet, and the society. I believe it showed power over society because pearl earrings are not the easiest to find not to mention they are verry expensive. There for in order to have them you would have to pay a large amount of money in which case your normaly going to me in the higher class. I believe the pearl earrings show the power he has over Griet because he obviously cares for her, but I feel like the fact that Vermeer gave Griet the earrings is showing that trusts her. There for she doesn't want to brake that trust, so I feel like she would do anything to keep the bond. Think about how if you were to disagree or lose the trust of a king you there would be multiple things that's effected. I feel like Griet Is feeling like hey if I don't do what this guy tells me to, there's going to be so bad conciquinces.
In my opinion, the pearl earring(s) symbolizes beauty because the pearl is sparkling and very beautiful. Only a beautiful person, like Griet, can wear a pearl earring. It can also symbolize innocence because it's pure white, since Greit still has her virginity (not until she loses it with Peiter) she is pure and innocent.
I think the pearl earring(s) represents power and wealth. No one else at the time could afford pearl earrings, but the wealthy of course. It symbolizes power because of the wealth needed for them and it separates the lower class of people from the higher class of people. Also piercing your ears to wear these earrings was a big deal, whether it be religion or something else.
Hi I love the designs of these hoops, these are exceptionally excellent and stunning. Continue sharing this kind of post. All of these superb jewelry bloggers give important jewelry knowledge extraordinarily. However, the normal subject that advances into pretty much every blog is trends. Trends across the world differ. DESIGNER SILVER Earring Jewelleries are elegant, exotic as well as ethereal that gives Ravishing look that anyone can Flaunt easily on any occasion. We would love to connect with you.
I think the pearl earrings symbolize Vermeer's love for Griet over his wife because he told Cathryn to give Griet the pearl earrings when he died. It also was used to when Griet was wearing them when Vermeer told her to wear them when he was doing a painting.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to believe that the pearl earring(s) symbolizes purity and beauty. I'd like to believe this because a pearl is an opalescent-white gemstone, and is a little hard to find. You can find pearls in clams, but you have to make sure that you find the special clam that actually has a pearl inside of it. When people think of a pearl, they mostly think of beauty, as it is hard to mark it up and it is simple. They also think of purity because of the whiteness of it. Weddings: the dress is usually white, the white doves, the white snow, people think of purity when they see white. A earring hangs on either side of the face, thus the pearl earring can help show your beauty, inner and outer.
ReplyDeleteThe earrings are showing rank, they were probably very expensive and not many people could of afford them. Cathryn would have never dreamed that a maid that her husband like would wear her earrings. Once she saw the painting of Griet she knew that her husband cared for Griet more than her. That is why she got so mad at Griet. But she was very polite and humble giving the earrings to Griet, which would of been so hard.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the pearl earring symbolizes the power that Vermeer has in society. Also, that he trusted Greit so much, to the point that he went behind his wife's back and gave her the earrings. The earrings were protected by Catharina, only Maris Thins, Vermeer, and Catharina had access to them. However, Maria Thins gave them to Greit under the order of her son.
ReplyDeleteThe pearl earrings symbolize the power that Vermeer has over his whole family. In my opinion, Maria Thins is the second most powerful figure in the household, second to Vermeer. That is because in all reality, she has very little control over Vermeer's paintings. She has little to no control over how long they take to create, who will be painted in them (Van Rajuiven wanting to be painted with Greit for example), and most importantly the use of Catherina's pearls. We know that Catherina's pearls are very dear to her, and are worn on special occasions, then locked in a jewelry box. To Maria Thins, they're a sign of nobleness or a higher social class (one Greit is not a part of) which causes her discretion to use them as a prop, along with respect for her daughters feelings. Lastly, to Greit, the pearls represent the woman she will never become, she will merely be a butcher's wife, a tile-maker's daughter, or a maid. Also, the piercing of the flesh is also a big deal for Greit, because she is marking her body. Something not acceptable within her faith, which she is deeply devoted to. But oddly, all of these people comply to Vermeers wishes, because when it comes down to it he is the figure with the most power, even after he is deceased.
ReplyDelete(Casey Lawver. I can't change my name because this is my Google account that I use at home. I rather not give out my name. Sorry) I think the pearl earrings symbolize power, but also a form of trust. They symbolize power because, well... DUH, they're Catharina's. The woman Griet works for. Also, those are probably really expensive. However, they symbolize trust because Vermeer TRUSTS Griet with the earrings. And she did deserve that trust. In the beginning, you could see that she had to earn the bit of trust to enter his room. Then as the book went on, Griet earned more, and more of Vermeer's trust. She was able to pose for him when the origional modles could not make it. She was able to make his paint, then she was able to sleep in the attic! next thing you knew, he was painting her with his wife's pearl earrings. A symbol of power Griet felt she did not deserve.
ReplyDeleteOnly rich families could own this jewelry. It could also be a symbol of the pain she is willing to go through because of Vermeer. She does not want to pierce her own ear, first time she faints. Her ear gets infected and becomes extremely painful. However, she goes through all of this trouble for Vermeer.
ReplyDeleteI believe the pearl earrings symbolize who Griet is and how Vermeer views her. Pearls are obviously pure white. White represents innocence and purity, and those are two words that can be used to describe who Griet is and the opposite of who Katarina is. Griet is an unmarried protestant, which also makes her a virgin. She belongs to no one but her parents, but when she scared herself by putting these earrings in, it's as if she's giving herself away. Also, the earrings represent Griet's innocence and foreshadows that she will remain innocent throughout the novel, which she is. Yet, she is still fired as the family's maid, even though she only did what her master asked of her. Which was too much. Peals are very beautiful as well, which is how I believe Vermeer sees Griet, as well as innocent and pure. This is why he allows her to work in his studio. He trusts Griet and enjoys being around her, as well. It seems that Griet is the exact opposite of Katarina in the story, yet the earrings they share both form a connection between each of them, and Vermeer.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the pear earrings symbolized the power Vermeer had over Griet, and the society. I believe it showed power over society because pearl earrings are not the easiest to find not to mention they are verry expensive. There for in order to have them you would have to pay a large amount of money in which case your normaly going to me in the higher class. I believe the pearl earrings show the power he has over Griet because he obviously cares for her, but I feel like the fact that Vermeer gave Griet the earrings is showing that trusts her. There for she doesn't want to brake that trust, so I feel like she would do anything to keep the bond. Think about how if you were to disagree or lose the trust of a king you there would be multiple things that's effected. I feel like Griet Is feeling like hey if I don't do what this guy tells me to, there's going to be so bad conciquinces.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the pearl earring(s) symbolizes beauty because the pearl is sparkling and very beautiful. Only a beautiful person, like Griet, can wear a pearl earring. It can also symbolize innocence because it's pure white, since Greit still has her virginity (not until she loses it with Peiter) she is pure and innocent.
ReplyDeleteI think the pearl earring(s) represents power and wealth. No one else at the time could afford pearl earrings, but the wealthy of course. It symbolizes power because of the wealth needed for them and it separates the lower class of people from the higher class of people. Also piercing your ears to wear these earrings was a big deal, whether it be religion or something else.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI love the designs of these hoops, these are exceptionally excellent and stunning. Continue sharing this kind of post.
All of these superb jewelry bloggers give important jewelry knowledge extraordinarily. However, the normal subject that advances into pretty much every blog is trends. Trends across the world differ.
DESIGNER SILVER Earring Jewelleries are elegant, exotic as well as ethereal that gives Ravishing look that anyone can Flaunt easily on any occasion.
We would love to connect with you.