Lori:
1. Why do you think Vermeer has wear the second earring even if it is not seen in the painting? Does this reveal anything about Griet? Vermeer?
2. For the second time, Griet thinks "only thieves and children run" and runs once again. Is Griet a thief? Is she a child?
3. Griet is constantly reminded that she is a maid throughout the novel, why do you think she says "I would not have cost him anything. A maid came free" (233). What is the significance of this?
Traci:
What is the significance of Griet's confidence to continue to hide things from her parents?
What is the significance of the recurring knife, Catharina, Griet, and Vermeer setting?
Why does Griet still consider herself merely a maid rather than a butcher's wife?
Brianna:
1. First Vermeer seems to think of Griet only for the painting (209) but after his death wants her to have the pearl earrings. What are his true feelings?
2. Why, when Catharina discovers the painting, does Maria Thins and Vermeer make no attempt at helping Griet even when it was they who got her the earrings in the first place?
3. What does Griet show by selling Vermeer's earrings (rather than keeping them ,etc.)? Does she know her place now?
4. Why do maids come "free?" (233)
Jared Hara:
1. Why does Griet repeat that "only thieves and children run" (216)?
2. Is there a significance that Griet never got to look at the finished painting of herself (210)?
3. Does Griet's ear infection parallel the way her life is at that moment in the story (202)? What about the scars from the piercing (222)?
4. What is the significance that Griet accepts the fact that her fingernails are dirty (225)?
5. Why does Vermeer want her mouth open in the painting? Is this significant at all? (198)
6. Is it important that Griet pierces her ears all by herself (198)?
7. Why is it important that Griet receives the earring after Vermeer is dead (232)?
8. Is Griet now freed because "a maid came free" (233)? Could this be a play on words? Is Griet accepting reality or becoming more independent or both?
ALi Olsen:
1) Why do you think Griet keeps the 5 coins at the end and decides never to use them?
2) Why does Vermeer leave Griet the earrings and why does he ask to have the painting on loan?
3) Why does he force Griet to pierce both ears instead of just the one that is seen?
Kim Roy: Has Griet “[taken] care to remain [herself]” (232), as van Leeuwenhock warned?
Is Griet a static or dynamic character?
Why does Vermeer insist that Griet wear both earrings? Does he regard her as someone of higher status, one who would wear pearls?
Preston: 1)Why can't Griet keep the earrings?
2)Did Vermeer actually like Griet?
Tia:
Why did Griet choose to marry Pieter? Did she have any other options?
Is Catharina really the head of the household? Who is?
What is the importance of Vermeer wanting Griet to have the pearl earrings?
Daiva: 1. What is the significance of the recurring knife motif? (215)
2. Why does Chavalier create Catharina to be "taller and more solid" than her husband? What does this say about her character? (214)
3. The last line of the story is "A maid came free" what do you think this means? How does it tie into the rest of the novel? (233)
Logan:
1. Assuming Tanneke called Griet a whore, why would she say such a thing? How much does Tanneke know about Griet's various relationships? If Griet did misinterprete what Tanneke said, does she think of herself as a whore?
2. Although Maria Thins appears strong throughout the novel, she never reprimands or goes against Catharina. This is obviously shown when she does speak up for Griet about the pearl earrings. Who is the actual mistress of the household?
Ali Goo:
1. Do you think that Griet made the right choice when she left Maria Thins' house and was faced with all the directions of the star on the street? Why or why not?
2. Why would Vermeer want Griet to have the earings?
3. Do you feel that Vermeer actually ever loved Griet? Why or why not?
Sara:
1. What are Vermeer's true feelings towards/for Griet? When he tells her to leave her mouth open, and "virtuous women did not open their mouths in paintings," does this reflect Vermeer's view of her?
2. What does the returning of the pearl earrings (to Griet) represent? Why would he not return them to her himself? Was he too scared to confront his feelings? What does this say about the character of Vermeer?
3. What are the significant changes that Griet has made from the beginning of the novel till the end?
Spencer:
What is the significance of "only thieves and children run" (p.216)?
How does Vermeer truly feel about Griet?
What is the significance of the path Griet took at the eight-pointed star? Why was it the right choice? Was it the right choice?
Rachel:
1. Why does Vermeer want Griet to wear the other earring even though it will not be shown?
2. Griet says that "only thieves and children run" (216) several times throughout the novel. Which one, if any, is Griet?
3. Van Leeuwenhoek tells Griet, "Take care to remain yourself" (232). What is the significance of this reminder?
4. How is Griet, as a maid, finally "free" (233)?
Kelly H.:
1. Why does Vermeer tell Griet to put on the other earring when it can't be seen in the painting? (209) And in the letter, why does Vermeer want Catharina to give Griet the pearls?
2. Why do you think Griet walks away and doesn't pick up the knife when the knife is dropped infront of her? (215)
3. What does it mean when Vermeer says to Catharina, "you and the children are not a part of this world"? In what ways are they not part of Vermeer's world of painting? (214)
Mackenzie:
1. What makes Griet a "whore" after Tanneke see's her talk to Pieter? (207)
2. Is Vermeer trying to hurt Griet with the earrings and insisting she pierce her other ear? (208-209)
3. What are Vermeers intentions when he decides to give Griet the pearl earrings?
Rachael
1) Why does Griet feel the need to repay Pieter the 15 coins?
2) Leeuwenhoek warned Griet to "remain yourself." Do you think that Griet followed his advice or took another path?
Nicole:
1.) Is Griet truly satisfied with her life with Pieter?
2.) Why did the master ask to have his painting of Griet before he died?
Pualani: 1) Is Pieter and Greit's relationship love, or does Greit she commit to the relationship because feel in debt to him and his family?
2) What word/ label would Vermeer use towards Greit regarding his feelings for her?
3) Why did Vermeer paint Maertge in the same position as Greit, does this show a certain feeling towards the two of them?
Tawni:
1) Why do you think that Griet was never able to actually see the painting?
2) What do you think about Griet and Pieter's relationship; is it true love?
Kristin:
1: Do you think Greit is just settling for Pieter?
2: How do you think Greit felt about Vermeer and how does her reaction of his death show that?
3: Do you think it was right of Greit to sell the earrings?
Brock:
1. Why does Griet feel uncomfortable for piercing her ears in the attic?
2. Why does Griet's, "...blood chilled" when Pieter the father winked at her?
Karla:
1. Why does Griet mention that she has always wanted to wear pearl earrings?
2. Why is Vermeer interested in finding out whether or not Griet will marry Pieter?
Kelli:
1. Why does Griet pawn off the pearl earrings? Wouldn't you think that she would keep them because of their significance?
2. What does the novel say about Griet and Vermeer's relationship now that we learned about Vermeer's intentions with the earrings?
3. Why is Griet never able to see her painting?
Nestor:
1. What does the last sentence of the novel means?-- A maid comes free.
2. Based on the ending of the novel, was Griet's change justifiable? Is she a good person?
Period 7:
Lori:
1. Why do you think Vermeer has wear the second earring even if it is not seen in the painting? Does this reveal anything about Griet? Vermeer?
2. For the second time, Griet thinks "only thieves and children run" and runs once again. Is Griet a thief? Is she a child?
3. Griet is constantly reminded that she is a maid throughout the novel, why do you think she says "I would not have cost him anything. A maid came free" (233). What is the significance of this?
Traci:
What is the significance of Griet's confidence to continue to hide things from her parents?
What is the significance of the recurring knife, Catharina, Griet, and Vermeer setting?
Why does Griet still consider herself merely a maid rather than a butcher's wife?
Brianna:
1. First Vermeer seems to think of Griet only for the painting (209) but after his death wants her to have the pearl earrings. What are his true feelings?
2. Why, when Catharina discovers the painting, does Maria Thins and Vermeer make no attempt at helping Griet even when it was they who got her the earrings in the first place?
3. What does Griet show by selling Vermeer's earrings (rather than keeping them ,etc.)? Does she know her place now?
4. Why do maids come "free?" (233)
Jared Hara:
1. Why does Griet repeat that "only thieves and children run" (216)?
2. Is there a significance that Griet never got to look at the finished painting of herself (210)?
3. Does Griet's ear infection parallel the way her life is at that moment in the story (202)? What about the scars from the piercing (222)?
4. What is the significance that Griet accepts the fact that her fingernails are dirty (225)?
5. Why does Vermeer want her mouth open in the painting? Is this significant at all? (198)
6. Is it important that Griet pierces her ears all by herself (198)?
7. Why is it important that Griet receives the earring after Vermeer is dead (232)?
8. Is Griet now freed because "a maid came free" (233)? Could this be a play on words? Is Griet accepting reality or becoming more independent or both?
ALi Olsen:
1) Why do you think Griet keeps the 5 coins at the end and decides never to use them?
2) Why does Vermeer leave Griet the earrings and why does he ask to have the painting on loan?
3) Why does he force Griet to pierce both ears instead of just the one that is seen?
Kim Roy:
Has Griet “[taken] care to remain [herself]” (232), as van Leeuwenhock warned?
Is Griet a static or dynamic character?
Why does Vermeer insist that Griet wear both earrings? Does he regard her as someone of higher status, one who would wear pearls?
Preston:
1)Why can't Griet keep the earrings?
2)Did Vermeer actually like Griet?
Tia:
Why did Griet choose to marry Pieter? Did she have any other options?
Is Catharina really the head of the household? Who is?
What is the importance of Vermeer wanting Griet to have the pearl earrings?
Daiva:
1. What is the significance of the recurring knife motif? (215)
2. Why does Chavalier create Catharina to be "taller and more solid" than her husband? What does this say about her character? (214)
3. The last line of the story is "A maid came free" what do you think this means? How does it tie into the rest of the novel? (233)
Logan:
1. Assuming Tanneke called Griet a whore, why would she say such a thing? How much does Tanneke know about Griet's various relationships? If Griet did misinterprete what Tanneke said, does she think of herself as a whore?
2. Although Maria Thins appears strong throughout the novel, she never reprimands or goes against Catharina. This is obviously shown when she does speak up for Griet about the pearl earrings. Who is the actual mistress of the household?
Ali Goo:
1. Do you think that Griet made the right choice when she left Maria Thins' house and was faced with all the directions of the star on the street? Why or why not?
2. Why would Vermeer want Griet to have the earings?
3. Do you feel that Vermeer actually ever loved Griet? Why or why not?
Sara:
1. What are Vermeer's true feelings towards/for Griet? When he tells her to leave her mouth open, and "virtuous women did not open their mouths in paintings," does this reflect Vermeer's view of her?
2. What does the returning of the pearl earrings (to Griet) represent? Why would he not return them to her himself? Was he too scared to confront his feelings? What does this say about the character of Vermeer?
3. What are the significant changes that Griet has made from the beginning of the novel till the end?
Spencer:
What is the significance of "only thieves and children run" (p.216)?
How does Vermeer truly feel about Griet?
What is the significance of the path Griet took at the eight-pointed star? Why was it the right choice? Was it the right choice?
Rachel:
1. Why does Vermeer want Griet to wear the other earring even though it will not be shown?
2. Griet says that "only thieves and children run" (216) several times throughout the novel. Which one, if any, is Griet?
3. Van Leeuwenhoek tells Griet, "Take care to remain yourself" (232). What is the significance of this reminder?
4. How is Griet, as a maid, finally "free" (233)?
Kelly H.:
1. Why does Vermeer tell Griet to put on the other earring when it can't be seen in the painting? (209) And in the letter, why does Vermeer want Catharina to give Griet the pearls?
2. Why do you think Griet walks away and doesn't pick up the knife when the knife is dropped infront of her? (215)
3. What does it mean when Vermeer says to Catharina, "you and the children are not a part of this world"? In what ways are they not part of Vermeer's world of painting? (214)
Mackenzie:
1. What makes Griet a "whore" after Tanneke see's her talk to Pieter? (207)
2. Is Vermeer trying to hurt Griet with the earrings and insisting she pierce her other ear? (208-209)
3. What are Vermeers intentions when he decides to give Griet the pearl earrings?
Rachael
1) Why does Griet feel the need to repay Pieter the 15 coins?
2) Leeuwenhoek warned Griet to "remain yourself." Do you think that Griet followed his advice or took another path?
Nicole:
1.) Is Griet truly satisfied with her life with Pieter?
2.) Why did the master ask to have his painting of Griet before he died?
Pualani:
1) Is Pieter and Greit's relationship love, or does Greit she commit to the relationship because feel in debt to him and his family?
2) What word/ label would Vermeer use towards Greit regarding his feelings for her?
3) Why did Vermeer paint Maertge in the same position as Greit, does this show a certain feeling towards the two of them?
Tawni:
1) Why do you think that Griet was never able to actually see the painting?
2) What do you think about Griet and Pieter's relationship; is it true love?
Kristin:
1: Do you think Greit is just settling for Pieter?
2: How do you think Greit felt about Vermeer and how does her reaction of his death show that?
3: Do you think it was right of Greit to sell the earrings?
Brock:
1. Why does Griet feel uncomfortable for piercing her ears in the attic?
2. Why does Griet's, "...blood chilled" when Pieter the father winked at her?
Karla:
1. Why does Griet mention that she has always wanted to wear pearl earrings?
2. Why is Vermeer interested in finding out whether or not Griet will marry Pieter?
Kelli:
1. Why does Griet pawn off the pearl earrings? Wouldn't you think that she would keep them because of their significance?
2. What does the novel say about Griet and Vermeer's relationship now that we learned about Vermeer's intentions with the earrings?
3. Why is Griet never able to see her painting?
Nestor:
1. What does the last sentence of the novel means?-- A maid comes free.
2. Based on the ending of the novel, was Griet's change justifiable? Is she a good person?