earring

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.

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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.

Duration : 0:2:49

[click to continue…]

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