While reading "Martha's Lady" I assumed there was going to be more information on Helena since Martha loves her and the title is clearly indicating Helena.
I went back and noticed a few things about Harriet and Martha. First, the beginning of the story has a crazy amount of information about Harriet. You get information on how she wears her hair, how particular she is, why she is alone, how the house looks, etc. That amount of information in a short story seems like it is directing more focus onto Harriet even though it appears Martha and Helena's relationship is the main plot.
When Helena visits and suggests asking Mr. Crofton to help her pick the cherries higher up on the tree, Harriet claims that "Martha will get the cherries for you" (874). However, shortly after she sees Martha and Helena having fun walking through the flowers to the tree she seems put off and states, "Martha ought to be in the dining-room, already, slow as she is; it wants but half an hour tea-time" (874). This change is from one paragraph to another, so almost immediately after she tells Helena to ask Martha, she is upset that Martha is helping her instead of working.
Further in the story when Helena is getting married, Harriet refuses to allow Martha to come even though Helena directly expresses she wants Martha there with her. The narrator indicates that "But she [Martha] never knew that Miss Helena had asked if cousin Harriet would not bring Martha to town; she should like to have Martha there to see her married" (882). Harriet justifies not bringing Martha or even telling her by concluding that "Martha would be out of her element" (882). It is important to keep in mind that Harriet did not have this same "out of her element" attitude when it was clear Martha was not a great house maid. Harriet tried correcting her, so she would adjust regardless of if it was Martha's element or not.
It would seem that Helena was very much Martha's Lady as the title confirms, but there is certainly evidence that Martha could be Harriet's Lady. At the very least there is jealously.
I actually never thought of it from that perspective! It's really interesting that you've made this connection between Harriet and Martha. We do get much background info pertaining to Harriet's lonely life; perhaps Martha was her only companion, at least in Harriet's eyes, once Helena left.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting idea. It kind of reminds me of "The Sun Also Rises" because at the beginning we were given all this information about Cohn, and then of course the story shifted to Jake. When I began this story, I definitely felt that Harriet would be more central. You've made some good points about this character and put a new spin on the story!
ReplyDeleteI like this thought, and I also agree with Paige about Harriet's view of Martha after Helena left. Harriet's view shifts and she begins to treat Martha more kindly and describe her with pride. Perhaps she does start to care for Martha. I do think that Harriet must have a deeper significance than just being the owner of the house.
ReplyDeletePaige, I think that you have made an interesting observation. Indeed, there does seem to be an element of jealously present; however, we do not know if there are sexual connotations to them. Perhaps the text could be interpreted to suggest that there was three-way sexual tension in the air. I wonder, too, if Reverend Mr. Crofton is not also smitten with Helena.
ReplyDeleteGreat close reading Danielle! I would have never taken a step out of the box and thought of it this way. The situation would make a lot of sense, however. Harriet would be out someone who makes her "hole," so to speak, and not to mention a maid, if she were to willingly give into Martha's feelings towards Helena. I would agree with Paige and say that jealousy elements are at play with Harriet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the commenters: this is a smart reading, Danielle and perhaps something worse pursuing in a longer paper!
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