Girl with a Pearl Earring

Main Characters and Their Development

• Griet – the main character, a young girl from a poor family who becomes a maid in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer. She is intelligent, observant, and possesses an artistic sensibility that attracts Vermeer's attention. As the story unfolds, Griet becomes a muse for the artist, and their relationship becomes more complex and tense.
• Johannes Vermeer – a renowned Dutch painter who hires Griet as a maid. He sees something more in her than just a servant and begins to use her as a model for his paintings. Vermeer is a complex and enigmatic character who balances his family obligations with his passion for art.
• Catharina Vermeer – Johannes Vermeer's wife, a jealous and suspicious woman who does not trust Griet. She feels threatened by the relationship between her husband and the maid, leading to tension in the household.
• Maria Thins – Catharina's mother, who lives with the Vermeer family. She is practical and calculating, often interfering in family matters and trying to control the situation.
• Pieter – a butcher who shows interest in Griet. He represents a more traditional and stable choice for her, but Griet is torn between her feelings for him and her attraction to the world of art.