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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents background of the study, problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of term. The
background of the study gives explanation about the topic and the reason why the writer chooses the novel and the topic. The problem formulation presents the
problems or questions which guide to the analysis of the novel. The objectives of the study aim to answer the questions stated in the problem formulation. The
benefits of the study explain the advantages of the study. Finally, the definition of term provides some information related to the study.
A. Background of the Study
There is no life without problems. In life, God gives us both happiness and sorrow. Many things happen to us, to meet another, to love another, to face
problems and so on. The problems and difficulties could be in various aspects of life; family problems, financial problems, individual problems, job, relationship
and many more. Being able to face and solve the problems will strengthen people themselves. Poeple’s quality will be tested and improved throughout the
problems. How people face the reality, how they solve their problems and how they struggle for life are parts of life experiences.
Life is not only about happiness. When problems come, people must face them, whether they are ready or not. They must move to make their life better and
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2 must not stop at the moment. Even though it is very hard and difficult to solve.
People have to believe and have efforts to get happiness and better life. According to Peale, struggle is defined as to strive, to make a great effort, to labor hard, with
a twist, or with contortions of body. Recognizing that human has intelligence and brain to think, human also has ideas and faith to solve every problem happening in
life http:www.brainyquote.comwordsststruggle224910. Literature provides many aspects of life; information, amusement,
entertainment and many more. By reading literature, we can get information and life’s value in relation with human life such as psychology, social, moral, history,
and other sides of life. As stated by Rohreberger and Woods 10, literature is a criticism of life that influences man in the society, and literature helps to express
the values of life, restraint and human dignity. Works of literature express human life experiences. An author of a literary work expresses his feelings or reflections
of human experiences. Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the novels which
shares about struggle in life related to the maid life. The novel was written by Tracy Chevalier in United State in 1999. In this story, she shows the reader about
a Dutch maid’s life around 1664-1676 in the Dutch city of Delft. The focus of the story is Griet, a 16 year-old-girl who lives with her family in Delft. She struggles
for her better life in difficult situations and problems. Griet’s father gets an accident when he is working as a tile maker; he loses his eyes and his eyesight, so
that he cannot work anymore to support his family life.
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3 Through this situation, Chevalier tells the life of the main character of the
novel who faces reality, conflict, and further problems she struggles in life. In this novel, Chevalier describes Griet as a unique person. Her struggle for life begins
when she faces bad economical problems and family problems. She has to adapt with new situation of Dutch maid’s life, because she obtains her first job as a
servant in Vermeer’s household. Vermeer is a famous painter, his wife is Chatarina and they have five children. Griet has to do housework of any kind. She
also cleans Vermeer’s studio of painting where Vermeer creates his masterpieces. When Griet works as a maid in this family, there are a lot of conflicts happening.
Chatarina already dislikes her because her husband gives Griet all his attention. Chatarina dislikes Griet because Chatarina is not allowed to enter the Master’s
studio. Meanwhile, Griet feels under pressure of Tanneke, the senior maid. One of Vermeer’s daughters is also moody and always wants to annoy Griet, and she is
Cornelia. There are also problems coming from Vermeer’s patron and other problems related to her relationship and her religious practice.
Griet’s struggle in her life is inspiring and interesting to discuss. The novel provides a story of Griet’s reactions toward every condition that has happened. No
matter how hard her problems are, she always keeps her spirit on struggling and keeps the effort to get her better life. This story provides me a valuable lesson
that life is not easy and full of obstacles. Griet’s spirit in life teaches me to keep struggling even in the most difficult situation I have to deal with . That is why I
chose Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.
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B. Problem Formulation
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