Betrayal The Literal Meanings of the Pearl Earrings

77 He rubbed the swollen lobe between his thumb and finger, and pulled it taut. With his other hand he inserted the earring wire in the hole and pushed it through. A pain like fire jolted through me and brought tears to my eyes. He did not remove his hand. His fingers brushed against my neck and along my jaw. He traced the side of my face up to my cheek, then blotted the tears that spilled from my eyes with his thumb. He ran his thumb over my lower lip. I licked it and tasted salt. p. 221 Their relationship is a romantic love that “bonds individuals emotionally through intimacy and physically through passionate arousal, but neither is sustained without commitment” Sternberg, 1987, p. 341. “With passion, there is the initial infatuation, the strong emotions, and the attraction” Sternberg, 1986, p. 119-135 between them. However, in the end of the story, Vermeer feels very regret because of hurting his wife’s feeling. Even though Vermeer has a forbidden relationship with Griet, he still loves his own wife, Catharina.

e. Betrayal

For Catharina, it is a betrayal of her love and her trust. She is very angry and sad when she sees the painting of Griet that wears her pearl earringsthings those are very important for her and in her life. They are symbol of happy marriage and Catharina’s most favourite jewellery. They like treasure for Catharina. She cannot accept the fact that Griet receive her husband’s love by wearing the pearl earrings. However, the only things that makes her very sad is that her husband who never paints her, is painting Griet. She turned to her husband. “Why,” she asked, “have you never painted me?” p. 227 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 78 She is not stupid. At least, she knows the processes on making a painting. She may know what happen during the processes on making the paintings. She knows that her husband and Griet are gazing each other for many hours and being together in the studio. However, Cornelia must give her some informationthe things that Griet may say to her when Catharina finds the painting. I might say, “What about the way he looked at me for so many hours while he painted this painting?” I might say, “What about your mother and your husband, who have gone behind your back and deceived you?” Or I might simply say, “Your husband touched me, here, in this room.” p. 227 For Catharina, the pearl earrings represent Catharina’s love towards Vermeer but they also mark of Vermeer’s betrayal. He puts the earrings on Griet’s ear, even though he loves his wife and he knows that she will be upset if she knows it. Catharina even cannot use the earrings again. It is too painful. “He asked that you have these.” She picked out earrings and after a moment’s hesitation laid them on the table. “I have not worn them again,” Catharina declared in a bitter tone. “I could not.” I opened my eyes. “I cannot take your earrings, madam.” “Why not? You took them once before. And besides, it’s not for you to decide. He has decided for you, and for me. They are yours now, so take them.” p. 246

2. The Deeper Meanings of the Pearl Earrings a. Vermeer “Paints” Catharina