This is the only aspect of the story that left me a bit puzzled. Greit's obsession for the painter was strange and unclear, and it was very ambiguous as to why it was such a big deal for her to have any special attention from him. Looking from today's point of view it seems far fetched that Vermeer, as head of household, would not have handled the situation better. We must not understand the cultural implications that mapped the relations between maid, master, and family. It seemed like it was made into too big of a deal, and that if the author wanted it to be such a major concern she should have given readers more persuasion. It would have had a stronger impact if the author had made this facet clearer. .
In fact, the family's jealousy is what leads to Greit's downfall. Vermeer talks Greit into wearing his wife's pearl earrings for the painting, and when Catharina finds out, she is outraged. Yet, why was it such a big deal? And why didn't Vermeer just say I told her to? This part of the book was extremely unsettling and undeveloped. Although, it was clear that ultimately this downfall was beneficial for Greit. Vermeer's family fell into ruins, but Greit was safe with the butcher's son and off starting her own new life. .
The protagonist of the story appears to be the young maid Greit, but in actuality it could be argued that it is the painter Vermeer, though essentially he has a small role in the book. Throughout the tome, we get constant glimpses into the life of the famous artist. The author describes him by saying, " his eyes gray like the sea. He had a long, angular face, and his expression was steady. He had no beard or moustache, and I was glad, for it gave him a clean appearance. He wore a black cloak over his shoulders, a white shirt, and a fine lace collar. His hat pressed into hair the red of brick washed by rain."(96). Yet, in reality we don't actually know exactly what Vermeer looked like, but the author does such a good job of imagining his identity and life.
