Martha says the townspeople dislike her. Ephraim disagrees: “They respect you. Perhaps occasionally fear you. It’s not the same thing.” (p 56) Do you agree with his assessment? Is it always better to be honest than it is to be well-liked, in your opinion?
Ephraim’s opinion aligns with my perception of how she was regarded by the community. Martha had an important role not only as a healer and midwife but also as a witness in court proceedings. She probably knew more about all the people, their interactions, and deeds than anyone else. Her honesty was essential, which is a trait that was feared by those who had something to hide or regret. And then were was Joseph North!
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I think both Ephraim and Martha are correct. The townspeople must have respected her skill and knowledge. But because of their ignorance about medical issues and her frankness in what needed to be done, it’s easy to see that she would have intimidated many. In Martha’s eyes this could have felt that they didn’t like her. She certainly didn’t seem to have any close friends. (But when was there time to foster and nourish a relationship with all the work needed to keep a house, let alone being a midwife?))
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From my perspective that quote does summarize towns people perspective of Martha. They saw her as a midwife and healer but to some she was to frank with them because of their ignorance and sometimes skepticism about current medical practices. Thus, Martha feels isolated in the community without many friends but even if they did not express if perhaps out of fear of retribution from their family and friends they did support her.
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I believe that the townspeople of Hallowell were intimidated by Martha. With her skills as a midwife, she was so unlike most of the townswomen who were confined to home/domestic duties. Martha, the innkeeper’s wife and Doctor seemed to be the only female professionals in the town. Martha’s skill as a midwife was always be questioned, especially by the men and because she was a woman. Her success in never losing a mother in childbirth was impressive. Her dedication to the health of the community was admirable.
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I agree with others that stated that she was both respected and feared at the same time. When you have the ability to read when so many others do not, that gives you so much power, which to many, especially men is very intimidating. I felt sad for her at times that she really did not have any close friends to share her hardships with. But, she did have Ephraim, who was very supportive and really a soulmate.
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I LOVED their relationship.
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Martha’s strong will and self confidence is a threat to some folks in my opinion. She is an honest woman and her beliefs help to makeup her steadfast character. Most women at that time were more like objects-house cleaners, mothers, cooks, etc., Ephraim “gets” her, while others do not.
I do agree with Ephraim’s statement. Martha was indeed always honest, (well, almost always) and unnervingly straightforward for a woman of that era, but I think it was more than a matter of honesty versus being well liked. I sensed it was Martha’s unquestionable skills, her unwavering self-confidence and indisputable dedication that people both respected and feared. A sort of love/hate relationship. And I imagine in the 1700s, deeply confusing and conflicting emotions such as these were perhaps more easily dealt with by simply pointing a finger at someone else. But even the strongest person needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time and a supportive voice of reassurance. Ephraim was that for Martha. He knows precisely how to restore her confidence and help her maintain an even keel while navigating the choppy waters of her profession and her standing in the community.
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So reminiscent of Diana Gabaldon’s Claire and Jamie. 
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I very much agree with your thoughts, Grace. Ignorance and fear are powerful behavioral motivators. At certain points in the book, the townspeople respected Martha begrudgingly and even silently, especially when in the minority. Survival in the 1700s was directly linked to acceptance in the community and when the prevailing winds went against Martha, not many would stand in support.
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I agree with Ephraim’s assessment. She seems to have been highly respected by most, although some people, including women, seem to have been threatened by her knowledge and freedom. Ephraim seems to have given her much more freedom than many men of the time gave their wives.
Soulmate–thank you for such a perfect choice of words to describe Ephraim. I especially loved the quiet, unobtrusive backstory of how their relationship began, how it slowly blossomed and deepened, and also how that story was then later shared with son Jonathan.
Welcome to the BookBrowse community, Carol! 