Review of Related Studies

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CHAPTER II THEORY OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter deals with theories and approach as well as context of the primary data. This chapter is divided into four sections. The first section provides a review on related study, in which some criticisms and studies by other writers on Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. The second section constitutes a review on related theories, in which those concepts fundamental to further discussion on the object of this study are explored concisely. This section comprises the important concepts on characters and methods of characterization, theories of personality, psychological approach, theory of motivation, theories of symbol, and theories of love. The third section of this chapter provides the theoretical framework, within which the previously mentioned concepts are described as contributing to the analysis of the novel. The fourth section presents the context of the novel. This section portrays review of Socio-Historical background of Delft in the 17 th century, which talks about the important concepts on religion, Socio-Economic, and Art at that time in Delft.

A. Review of Related Studies

Tracy Chevalier’s second novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring was a JanuaryFebruary 2001 Book Sense 76 pick and recently topped the Book Sense Bestseller charts Grant, 2008. One of the critics noted that the novel speculates PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 8 on the identity of the girl and invents a type of love story; set against the background of 17th century Delft, and specifically its arts community Dierick, 2007, p. 105, n.d.. Griet’s narrative is neutral. Yet, especially Tracy Chevalier has made her narrator into a figure that can claim centre stage and hold our attention throughout the novel. Sheppard from Time Magazine 2000 says that Tracy Chevalier’s novel can bring us back to the past. In his writing, he states that, “Tracy Chevalier is cautious with fact and adventurous with fiction in her novel, aptly titled Girl with a Pearl Earring. Chevalier is especially adept at character studies: imperious burghers, butchers, biddies, and crones. It is as if, after scrutinizing Vermeer’s masterworks and doing the required reading, she began to think and feel like a 17th century Delfter. In fact, Chevalier’s version is sexier: an exquisitely controlled exercise that illustrates how temptation is restrained for the sake of art.” According to Johnston 1999, Girl with a Pearl Earring is a novel, which can make the reader feel its sense and be into the world of the characters. It is reasonable that this wonderful novel can get some prizes. “Chevalier second novels are reputedly the true test of writers, the chance to show that their talents rest on more than luck or hype. Girl with a Pearl Earring more than fulfils such expectations. This is a novel, which deserves, and could win, a prize or two. She is a master of the telling detail, the evocative image. Through such detail, Chevalier draws the reader into the world of the painting, into the mood of the masterpiece she explores: moving, mysterious, at times almost unbearably poignant. Sometimes it seems so strong the reader can almost sense it, feel it breathing all around”. On the other hand, in The Guardian that was published in August 7, 1999, Moggach wrote that Girl with a Pearl Earring is the best novel that is written by a talented novelist. “It is a wonderful novel, mysterious, steeped in atmosphere and yet firmly rooted in the drudgery and denial of a servant’s life. It is deeply revealing about the process of painting and is best read with a volume of Vermeer’s paintings open beside you - it then becomes a truly magical experience. Still, this is a completely PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 9 absorbing story with enough historical authenticity and artistic intuition to mark Chevalier as a talented newcomer to the literary scene.”

B. Review of Related Theories