girl with a pearl earring english

Since nobody has experienced both periods the answer just boils down to common sense. In former times, life was short, illness and violent death were common, and many turned to religion for solace. In modern times we expect medicine to cure us or help alleviate symptoms and religion plays less of a role in general.

I don't recall that specific event in the book. When you read about it (I assume your homework is to analyse this event from the book?) what differences strike you?

It might be from or regarding the movie - I'm the one that added the books tag. the movie tag being the there already.