Griet leaves the Vermeer home to find who her true self can be. Marrying Pieter, becoming with child, and working at the meat hall, are all things Greit bears in her everyday life (Chevalier 187). Though she loves the simple little life she has created, a part of her will always be at the Vermeer home.
Griet spends the prime of her teenage years there, growing into a woman, and taking care of everything. Though she knew that was her duty, she wanted more. A beautiful young lady she was, moved on with her life, yet still had hope that one day Vermeer would notice her and the feelings she thought he had would come rushing back to him. We learn that Vermeer passes away and Griet is called back to the home she once endured. She was overcome with emotions, knowing no one knew about her past and why she ended up leaving the family. Ten years later she knew she had to go back, even if it was because she was directed there, it was her sign, a sign of closure and peace, to continue to live her life without wondering about the past.
Griet arrives and nothing has changed, though there is more. Cornelia is still the brat she was raised to be, the kids blowing bubbles outside the home, and Catherina’s attitude toward Griet hasn’t changed (Chevalier 189). When Griet learns that Vermeer has passed, she knows she can finally move on. However, she is told those pearl earrings that caused her much trouble, physically and emotionally, were hers to keep. She is at a loss for words, not sure what to do in this situation. To finally end all of this and for Griet to finally be able to get on, she has no other choice than to take these beautiful pearls to the pawn shop and start over for good.