Reply To: Martha’s choices

Home / Forums / Author Forums / Ariel Lawhon / The Frozen River / Martha’s choices / Reply To: Martha’s choices

January 20, 2025 at 10:19 pm #33239

Given the divisive attitudes swirling around Hallowell because of the Rebecca/North case, I think it would be a challenge for Martha to get her message across. Perhaps Martha could have been more strategic and tactful in revealing to people that Dr. Page had botched both Grace and Clarrissa’s births. Perhaps she could have gotten Coleman’s help in spreading the word since he was the source of much of the town’s gossip and a friend. But I don’t know if anything would have been effective given Dr. Page beat her to the punch by lying about his role with the laudlam and Grace. Additionally, people were too impressed by Page’s credentials. But it’s also not in Martha’s nature to be manipulative and sadly, her sharp tongue and honesty sometimes worked against her and in the case of several of the expectant mothers ended up having unintended consequences.

Certainly, her calling out the cruelty of Clarrisa and Peggy towards Sarah in Coleman’s store results in both women opting to use Dr. Page. I thought this was a tragic part of the story that Clarrisa got called out for her poor behaviour and decided against using Martha. And then Peggy still chose to use Page even after knowing what happened to Clarrisa’s baby! Definitely instances where these women’s pride worked against what was best for them and their babies. Thank goodness Rachel didn’t follow suit. But it also showed that Martha sometimes lacked a certain diplomacy or foresight that ended up creating more conflict with people than perhaps was necessary (I’m thinking also of Lidia North).

avataravataravataravataravataravataravataravatar