Reply To: Martha and Ephraim’s past
The revelations of Martha’s and Ephraim’s relationship in the interstitial chapters parallel the events of the main story, but a relationship that is atypical for the time period. There was something in Rebecca’s “soft brown eyes–a cheerfulness and curiosity” that reminded Martha of the daughters she lost to an outbreak of diphtheria. Joseph North’s involvement in their lives began early. He gave the deciding vote that sealed Billy Crane’s fate–hanging for Martha’s rape. From that, North learned the importance of not being caught in any nefarious activity, eventually placing himself above the law. The war taught him to take what he wanted. Ephraim’s love for Martha sought to protect her at every part of their journey, marrying her to protect the legitimacy of the child, if she was pregnant from the rape. North provided the document of their marriage. Ephraim wanted to make sure that the women of the community would still make her a wedding quilt. He wanted to make sure that the town would not shame her. He also promised to take from her only what was freely given, beginning with the consummation of their marriage. It is this restraint on his part that shows true love, this placing the good of the other above oneself most struck me because it was so contrary to the time period. He taught her to read and write. Elspeth taught Martha to be a midwife because Martha was not an hysterical person in a birthing room. Elspeth taught Martha to obtain the woman’s trust by asking the woman’s name, identifying her as an individual not her husband’s property. Martha became a trusted midwife, same as Doctor whom some consider a witch, “as though there is no other explanation for a woman who excels at her work.” Martha journals not because she wants to be remembered, per se, but because the words are proof that she existed. But the real proof that she existed are all the babies she delivered which she considers to be her children.
