18 Dutch; it is important to understand the socio-historical background in Dutch
especially in 17
th
century. According to Harold’s History of the Netherland and Dutch Revolt http:www.historyworld.net, there are some explanations of
Dutch’s history as follows:
1. The European Great Power
The setting of the novel is in Dutch. 17
th
century in Dutch was considered as Golden Age. It was a period in which Dutch trade, science, art and military were
among the most acclaimed in the world. In this era the Dutch East India Company Dutch: Vereningde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC was founded. It was the
first ever multinational corporation, financed by shares that established the modern stock exchange. This company received Dutch monopoly on Asian trade
and would keep this for two centuries. It became the world’s largest commercial enterprise of the 17
th
centuries. Spices were imported in the bulk and brought huge profit, due to the efforts and risks involved and seemingly insatiable demand.
The Dutch also dominated trade between European countries. Dutch trader shipped wine from France and Portugal to the Baltic lands and returned with grain
destined for countries around the Mediterranean Sea. By the 1680s, an average of nearly 1000 Dutch ships entered the Baltic Sea each year.
2. Social Structure
The main character of the novel, Griet comes from a poor family of tile painter. To earn some money and to support her family, she works at a master of
painting house. There is social clash that differentiate the position of Griet, Vermeer’s family and other characters in the novel. In Netherland one’s social
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
19 status in the 17
th
centuries was largely determined by income. Social classes existed but in a new way. Aristocracy, or nobility, had sold out most its privileges
to cities, where merchant and their money were dominant. Aristocrats also mixed with the members of the other classes in order to be able to support themselves.
Next to aristocrats and patricians came the affluent middle class, consisting of Protestant minister, lawyers, physicians, small merchants, industrialists and
clerks of state institutions. The lower status was attributed to small shop owners, specialized workers, craftsmen, administrators, and farmers. Below that stood
skilled laborers, house attendants and others service personnel.
3. Religion
