Girl With A Pearl Earring Reading

This is something different from me, but I hope you'll all enjoy this!

I memorised a passage of 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' by Tracy Chevalier as part of my Speech and Drama two years ago. I recorded myself reciting the passage, complete with background music to set the mood, to hear the inflections in my voice as I recited it. I recently found the file, and decided to make a slideshow with some images of Scarlett Johansson as Griet from the movie.

Please rate and comment. :)

This is the text:

As the house grew still, I remained in my chair. It was easier to sit there then do what I had to do. When I could not delay any longer, I got up and first peeked at the painting. All I could really
see now was the great hole where the earring should go, which I would have to fill.

I took up my candle, found the mirror in the storeroom, and climbed to the attic. I propped the mirror against the wall on the
grinding table, and set the candle next to it. I got out my needle case and, choosing the thinnest needle, set the tip in the flame of the candle. Then I opened the bottle of clove oil, expecting it to
smell foul, of mould or rotting leaves, as remedies often do. Instead it was sweet and strange, like honeycakes left out in the sun. It was from far away, from places Frans might get to on his ships. I shook a few drops onto a rag, and swabbed my left
earlobe. The apothecary was right - when I touched the lobe a few minutes later, it felt as if I had been out in the cold without wrapping a shawl around my ears.

I took the needle out of the flame and let the glowing red tip change to dull orange and then to black. When I leaned towards
the mirror I gazed at myself for a moment. My eyes were full of liquid in the candlelight, glittering with fear.

Do this quickly, I thought. It will not help to delay.

I pulled the earlobe taut and in one movement pushed the needle through my flesh.

Just before I fainted I thought, I have always wanted to wear pearls.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• girl
• with
• a
• pearl
• earring
• tracy
• chevalier
• scarlett
• johansson
• reading
• aloud

[Director84]

Nice reading, apart from some "outbreaks" of overdone emotions. And the ending sounded a little cheesy. Keeping working on it! You're gonna get it.

[mcee07]

This reading was done before my exam, so it would sound WAY different from the way I did it on the day. If I did it again, it could be better. Constructive critiscism never hurt anyone, and I was so in the moment when I recorded this, the words were flowing so much that the ending just came to me. Thanks again. :) And is it erotic? I never thought of it that way... :P

[Director84]

Erotic? Well, the scene sure is (especially if you saw the version of the movie, where Vermeer pierces her, instead of herself), but I wouldn't say that your way of reading sounds particular erotic.

What kind of exam was it? Are you a professional actress?

[mcee07]

It was a drama exam that I studied for last year. It's a hobby of mine, I really enjoy acting. :)

I really want to see the movie to compare it to the book, especially with that scene!! :)

[Beachmaiden]

Scarlet was born for this role.

[missbabyice]

You could do audio books :)

[L4dyN1ghtr04d]

I agree you could make audio books, you did it awesome and beautiful!

[Mollio100]

As a Speech and Drama teacher I've had pupils perform this extract. I thought you over stressed many words and therefore missed the ones that made the sense stand out. You should also vary the pace and pitch. It was difficult to pick out he main point as there was so little variation - as in the honey cakes, and Han's ship- these were not central to the action and should have been speeded up. I'd like to have you as a pupil. You have a musical voice and show promise.

[Iamthelightofthestar]

wwwmbmarconicom

[JoseEduardoNZ]

sweet and lovely video. Well done!!!

[Twinhit]

Thank you gaeliclas. That's very helpful.

[gaeliclas]

thats exactly how I feel! Scarlet Johannson and Colin Firth are brilliant.

[gaeliclas]

I would say that you could order it from a brilliant little bookstore in Dubuque, Iowa called River Lights. Thats where I bought it. Its near the center of town, and I am sure that if you googled it, it would come up.

[Twinhit]

Yes, she does and Griet is forced to leave.

I think in the end, upon Vermeer's death, Griet receives the pearl earrings which she later sold.

It's not much but I hope that helps.

[silverpetal786]

Your welcome! And I had one more question, in the novel, does Catharina find out that Vermeer has painted a painting of Griet with her pearl earrings? If so, please let mw know! Thank you! You take care also.