Insight text guides girl with a pearl earring is designed to help secondary english students understand and analyse the text. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier, paperback. Clearly, one of the central themes of this excellent novel is the way in which characters are. Girl with a pearl earring critical evaluation essay. There was obviously a lot of research behind the writing, and yet the book was very personal. Initially intending to attend one semester abroad, she studied for a semester and never returned. Dec 12, 2003 girl with a pearl earring is an auspicious featuredirecting debut by mr. Girl with a pearl earring is a thoroughly engaging novel that follows the lifechanging experiences of quiet griet over the two years she serves the delft painter, johannes vermeer. The beauty the audience witnesses, however, cannot conceal the. Tracy chevalier author of girl with a pearl earring goodreads. Her artistic sense endears her to her master, the famous johannes vermeer, but his wife dislikes the pretty servant. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier l summary.
Born in washington dc, in 1984 she moved to london, where she lives with her husband and son. The runaway new york times bestseller with over one million copies soldsoon to be a major motion picture starring scarlett johansson and colin firth. Sep 30, 2003 girl with a pearl earring is a thoroughly engaging novel that follows the lifechanging experiences of quiet griet over the two years she serves the delft painter, johannes vermeer. The film version of girl with a pearl earring was released 2003 with scarlett johansson in the role of griet and colin firth playing vermeer. Remarkable creatures doesnt have the same sure hand or intricately drawn world as girl with a pearl earring, but chevaliers own curiosity in her subject can not be doubted as you can see in this tracy chevalier bbc slide show narrated by tracy chevalier and this barnes and noble studio beach walk. Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. When her father goes blind, griet scarlett johansson must go to work as a maid for painter johannes vermeer colin firth. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier, paperback barnes. Complete summary of tracy chevaliers girl with a pearl earring. She had bought the poster as a nineteenyearold and it hung wherever she lived for sixteen years.
Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier scholastic. Girl with a pearl earring readers guide teachervision. Set in 17thcentury delft, holland, the novel was inspired by local painter johannes vermeers girl with a pearl earring. When servant girl griet catches his eye, she soon becomes both student and muse. It provides a thorough exploration of the novels plot, characters and main themes, as well as an examination of its genre and chevaliers use of symbolism and stylistic devices. By the end of girl with a pearl earring vermeer paints griet with his wifes pearl earrings. I find the story about young griet working for johannes vermeer fascinating. Tracy chevalier moved to england in 1984 after graduating from oberlin college in ohio. Elyshia hickey reveals why this fascinating, historical and romantic story will appeal to an adolescent audience, as it explores the theme of sensual awakening. Girl with a pearl earring by sarah edwards on prezi.
Tracy chevalier on the filming of girl with a pearl earring. Subscribe to the oprahs book club newsletter sign up for the oprahs book club newsletter get more. Webber in so many ways a groaning board of temptations for the eye and ear. How tracy chevalier used the painting of girl with a pearl earring to weave such a fantastic story. After her father loses his sight, 17yearold griet becomes a maid to help with family expenses.
Do you think griet was typical of other girls her age. It is hard not to like this good and obedient protagonist, for she struggles with universal yearnings such as. The novels interest in the relationship between vision and blindness is suggested by the figure of griets father, a former tile painter who loses his sight in a. Girl with a pearl earring 1666 summary and analysis.
Girl with a pearl earring by tracey chevalier lesson plans and teaching resources girl with a pearl earring by tracey chevalier resources from the author, including a link to a reading group guide with 8 questions. Vermeer, girl with a pearl earring, illustrated pigment analysis at colourlex. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier is an amazing book that brings the story behind the vermeer painting to life. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model, and the painting.
Often painting is romanticized, which it is here, but we also see the worry the other family members have as the money box is repeatedly emptied, and purchases must be made by credit. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model and the painting. Chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richly imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of vermeers most celebrated paintings. Girl with a pearl earring is filmed with careful attention to detail, color and historical authenticity. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story behind the advent of this famous painting, all the while depicting life in 17th century delft, a small dutch city with a burgeoning art community. Girl with a pearl earring topics for discussion tracy chevalier this study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of girl with a pearl earring.
Vision and blindness central to this novel is its exploration of vision, including, but not limited to, artistic vision. There is also a gradual sexual tension between griet and vermeer which adds an interesting dimension to the story. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of griet, a 16yearold dutch girl, who becomes a maid in the house of the painter johannes vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring summary and study guide supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Griet is fascinated by the painting and yearns to know the painter. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Listen to girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier at. Girl with a pearl earring is an auspicious featuredirecting debut by mr. Going by various names over the centuries, it became known by its present title towards the end of the 20th century after the large pearl earring worn by the girl portrayed there. His portrait of the anonymous girl with a pearl earring has exerted a particular fascination for centuriesand it is this magnetic painting that lies at the heart of tracy chevaliers second novel of the same title.
Girl with a pearl earring, tracy chevalier girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel written by tracy chevalier. This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. Her calm and perceptive manner not only helps her in her household duties, but also attracts vermeers attention. Tracy chevalier thanks, bobbi so glad you got to see pearl earring in. Going by various names over the centuries, it became known by its present title towards the end of the 20th century after the large pearl earring worn by the girl. Its not exactly surprising that a book about art would translate well to film, but still, sometimes the movie doesnt look as good on the screen as it does in your mind while youre reading it. Girl with a pearl earring displays a side of painting that is not often showed. An interview with tracy chevalier essential vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring coc09512 feature article forbidden love the novel girl with a pearl farring should definitely he included on the novel ideas book club reading list. In midcareer, the renowned 17th century baroque artist johannes vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring, which has been called the dutch mona lisa. The novel is inspired by the famous painting of the same name, which was painted by the dutch artist johannes vermeer. The novel revolving around the painting vermeer created of the girl with a pearl earring, the entire plot builds up to the modeling and painting of griet, the maidservant become an artists canvas subject.
Hallway at of the uffizzi gallery in florence, home to many renaissance masterpieces. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of sixteenyearold griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius. The story opens in the year 1664 when griet is abruptly informed that she will be starting work as a maid in the home of the dutch painter vermeer and his wife catharina. History and fiction merge seamlessly in this luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Girl with a pearl earring book club questions reading groups for. Girl with a pearl earring summary and study guide supersummary. After earning a graduate degree in creative writing from the university of east anglia, tracy chevalier was immediately recognized for her literary talent.
The novel centers on griet, the protestant daughter of a delft tile painter who lost his sight in a kiln accident. Technical analysis of girl with a pearl earring by johannes. She lives near highgate cemetery with her husband and son. Books that defined a generation girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring tracy chevalier johannes vermeer view of delft woman with a pearl necklace the milkmaid the girl with the wineglass a lady writing the concert woman with a water jug girl with a pearl earring art historical relevance enlightenment the book has. Girl with a pearl earring tracks the coming of age of a teenage girl, griet, given as a servant to the family of famous painter, vermeer. The social and cultural aspects of the film are fascinating, and the roles of johannes vermeer and griet are brilliantly played out by colin firth and scarlett johansson. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. But then he gives her his wifes pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a. What made the experience of listening to girl with a pearl earring the most enjoyable.
Her artistic sense endears her to her master, the famous johannes vermeer, but his. The novel is narrated in the first person by a sixteenyearold girl named griet, who lives in the dutch city of delft. In a past interview you stated that before you begin writing something new, you habitually choose with care the notebook used for your research. Girl with a pearl earring centers on vermeers prosperous delft household during the 1660s. But then he gives her his wifes pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a scandal erupts that could threaten griets future. The ama art lovers book club will have its second meeting at 6 p. Set in 17th century delft, holland, the novel was inspired by delft school painter johannes vermeers painting girl with a pearl earring. In tracy chevaliers girl with a pearl earring, the subject of johannes vermeers most famous painting is brought to life. In this wonderfullyacted period piece, vermeers famous painting which become the subject of a book is now a film. Feature article forbidden love the novel girl with a pearl earring should definitely be included on the novel ideas book club reading list. Elyshia hickey reveals why this fascinating, historical and romantic story will appeal to an adolescent.
Girl with a pearl earring tracy chevalier, 2000 penguin group usa 240 pp. The composition was laid in with light and dark areas. In midcareer, the renowned 17thcentury baroque artist johannes vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring, which has been. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier page 2 of 50. Tracy chevaliers inspiration for the novel was a poster of johannes vermeers girl with a pearl earring. The painting also appeared in the 2007 film st trinians, when a group of unruly schoolgirls steal it to raise funds to save their. Dec 28, 2003 on the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred to the screen. It is hard not to like this good and obedient protagonist, for she struggles with universal yearnings such as love and an escape from poverty.
Will you describe the notebook you chose for girl with a pearl earring. In tracy chevalier s girl with a pearl earring, the subject of johannes vermeer s most famous painting is brought to life. Girl gives us a vividly painted world but only patchily drawn characters in that sense, it gets vermeer only half right. Girl with a pearl earring is an oil painting by dutch golden age painter johannes vermeer. Even so, girl with a pearl earring only became one of vermeers more famous pieces around the turn of the 21st century, with the 1995 blockbuster exhibition at the national gallery of art in washington, d. Girl with a pearl earring lesson plans varsity tutors. If you have never tried the california wine club premiere series you should.
Tracy chevaliers novel girl with a pearl earring helps capture the mysterious religious conflicts subtly depicted in johnnes vermeers portrait of the same title. This comprehensive study guide to tracy chevaliers novel contains. I particularly loved the slowpaced plot full of wonderful descriptions of delft, of vermeers home and family, and of his paintings. The ground is a thick, yellowishwhite layer containing lead white. Snyder will lead the conversation on tracy chevaliers novel girl with a pearl earring. Vermeer is working on a painting of the wife of his patron, pieter van ruijven. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier book club discussion. If you havent read it, its about a servant girl who captures the imagination of johannes vermeer and inspires him to create what is probably his most famous work.
Tracy chevaliers masterpiece is about a masterpiece. When vermeers wife learns of this painting, she becomes very angry and griet leaves the vermeer house in. Great supplemental information for school essays and projects. Set in the 1660s in delft netherlands about how the famous painter johannes vermeer comes to paint his maid and her infatuation with him. She is dressed in a yellow mantle trimmed with ermine and wearing a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. While cleaning the house, griet strikes up an unlikely friendship with vermeer, which both agree to keep secret for fear of provoking the painters jealous wife, catharina essie davis.
Girl with a pearl earring is the story of 16yearold griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius, even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil. The girl with a pearl earring is the story of griet, a sixteenyear old girl who is hired by the famous painter, vermeer, to clean his studio. Webber in so many ways a groaning board of temptations for the eye and ear that you may almost forgive the film. Girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel by tracy chevalier. While reading this book you feel griets excitement, fear, and love.
On the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred. Reading guide for girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier book club. The girl with a pearl earring study guide contains a biography of tracy chevalier, 100 quiz questions, a glossary, major themes, a list of characters, and a full summary and analysis.
A girl with a pearl earring by sgr62 see profile 0322. When griet, the novels quietly perceptive heroine, is hired as a servant, turmoil follows. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Ama book club to discuss girl with a pearl earring. Griet spends countless hours enjoying and contemplating vermeers paintings. Only fragments of the original tacking edges survive. This book brings you back to the1660s delft into to the life of griet, a 16 year old, protestant, dutch girl. The novel opens with vermeer and his disheveled wife, catharina, visiting griets family to have a look at the girl they hope to hire. Girl with a pearl earring audiobook by tracy chevalier. This 39page guide for girl with a pearl earrings by tracy chevalier includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 4 parts, as well as several.
In girl with a pearl earring, she recreates the 17thcentury world of johannes vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring is such a beautifully written book with a compelling story. Technical analysis of girl with a pearl earring by. Girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel written by tracy chevalier. I chose an orange one, the size of my hand, with blank pages insidei never write on lined paper. That is definitely not the case with girl with a pearl earring.