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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many months before Tanneke approaches Griet did she hear that Vermeer had died?

2. In what way was Pieter impatient with Griet?

3. When the portrait was finished, how did Griet and Vermeer both feel?

4. In the portrait Vermeer paints of a maid for Van Ruijven, what was the woman doing?

5. Who created a compromise for Catharina to trust that her jewelry box is safe?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did rumors of Griet appearing in one of Vermeer's paintings affect her relationships?

2. Why did Vermeer seem extremely protective of Griet in Van Ruijven's presence?

3. Why did Catharina seem to fear Griet?

4. What was most important to Vermeer?

5. Does Griet love Pieter?

6. Why did Vermeer decide to paint Griet?

7. How did Vermeer and Griet feel when the portrait was complete?

8. How do the pearls show that Vermeer did not care about Griet?

9. What conflict did Vermeer's religion create for Griet's family?

10. How did Vermeer treat Griet differently after he saw her hair?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does dissatisfaction play in the lives of the main characters in the novel? How and why is Griet dissatisfied? How does she show this?

Essay Topic 2

How does Griet break free from her family? Does she want to break free from her family? What event or action is most symbolic of Griet's separation from her family?

Essay Topic 3

Who are the victims in Girl with a Pearl Earring? How might both Griet and Catharina fit into this role?

(see the answer keys)

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