Publication Details
Abstract
Tracy Chevalier’s novel, “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” serves as a compelling case study for examining the dynamics of interartistic dialogue and the reinterpretation of iconic artworks through a feminist lens. This paper investigates how Chevalier, through intermedial transposition, transforms Johannes Vermeer’s renowned painting of the same name, expanding upon its themes and offering a powerful commentary on female agency within the constraints of 17th-century Dutch society. By analyzing the novel’s narrative construction, character development, and engagement with art historical context, this study demonstrates how Chevalier actively reimagines the silent world of Vermeer’s painting, giving voice to the subject, Griet, and challenging the traditionally objectified representation of women in art.
The central argument of this paper rests on the premise that Chevalier’s novel is not merely an adaptation but a new communicative event, as defined by Marina Grishakova’s theory of intermediality. This study explores how the novel reinterprets the key elements of the painting. These key elements are the gaze, social class, and creativity. And, the power dynamic is explored in detail by analyzing Griet’s relationship with Vermeer, the patriarchal structures of Delft, and the societal expectations placed upon women during the Dutch Golden Age. The research methodology will consist of close reading of the novel, visual analysis of Vermeer’s painting, and application of feminist literary criticism to examine the portrayal of gender, power, and female subjectivity.