Mrs. Hendricks calls Martha to deliver her daughter’s child, but she’s lied, and it’s really Melody Page who needs help. Martha assists but berates Melody’s husband afterwards. What did you think of this scene and her “payment” demand (p. 299)? What would you have done in her shoes?
The “payment” of Dr Page stick to doctoring and she will stick to delivering" Well said on her part. Dr Page lost 2 babies because he had no experience in delivering babies. Martha was not happy about being tricked into being called to the Page home. She did the right thing by having Dr Page leave the room and safely deliver his wife of a healthy baby.
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Doctor Page had no business delivering babies at ALL! Martha was a threat to him, but I think he finally realized she was a much better midwife than he was an OB.
The scene is a powerful moment that highlights Martha’s moral compass, sense of justice, and unwillingness to let people suffer due to others’ negligence or cruelty. Mrs. Hendricks tricks Martha into helping by deceiving her about the situation. That puts Martha in an ethical dilemma. Martha acts with her skill and decisiveness, ensuring Melody survives a dangerous birth.
Her later confrontation with Melody’s husband is one of those moments that showcases her righteousness. She demands that he pays by ensuring his wife never endures such hardship again. That “payment” underscores Martha’s priorities—she’s not interested in money but in justice and care for women. She forces him to acknowledge his failures and makes him promise to change.
I’d like to think I would do something similar—help and hold him accountable. It takes courage to demand change, especially when women had little power. Martha’s approach is practical but also compassionate, ensuring that Melody’s future is improved, not just a short-term relief.