A Midwife's Tale - Film Flashcards
Time Period
Post-Revolutionary Era from her Diary covered the years 1785-1812
Primary Source
A diary written by a midwife named Martha Ballard
Based on what book?
A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Pulizer Prize winning book.
In what ways did Ballard’s family and work life change in the years this film covers?
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I what ways do these changes illustrate the changes we’ve read about in Born for Liberty and Women’s America?
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What economic class did the Ballards belong to?
Working class husband is a surveyor, runs a sawmill. Girls become weavers. Midwifery is the best paid of the female occupations.
The Ballads full fill their life dream of clearing land and building a house, and having a successful sawmill business.
Did their economic situation change over the course of the film?
Yes, her economic situation did change. At the beginning of the diary we have a well-run household with an active midwifery practice. Her daughters began with spinning and sewing and went on to become weavers.
At the point where she moves into the farmhouse, her midwifery practice falls off. However, her husband and son are doing the best they ever have…
Later her husband is hauled off to debtors prison; her son moves into her home with his wife and children, and she is forced into a single room.
At the end of her life, her midwifery practice returns to its former busy times.
Later in the film her husband is jailed and she is without his presence for 17 month
What significance did the Revolutionary War play in Martha’s life?
It was after the Revolutionary war that Martha and her husband and family moved up to the frontier of Maine. They probably moved up to seek opportunity for their sons. They were pioneers. Her day to day life was uncertain, and she was the mistress of a busy and productive household.
Did the changes brought about by the Revolution mean more freedom for Martha?
I don’t believe a life lived so remotely would have experienced much of an impact of the Revolution on her daily life. Her story could have happened a hundred years earlier.
What was Martha’s role within her marriage and family?
While raising her daughters and niece she headed a well-run household. Martha brought in monies with her midwifery and healing as her daughters kept house and also did spinning and weaving.
Later on, as she got older, her son and his wife took over her home and directed her life. Martha’s husband being in debtors prison. When her returned, respect returned to Martha through the presence of her husband.
She cared for husband.
Did this change over time? Why or why not?
As noted, the respect of her son and his wife flowed only through her husband.
Would you say that Martha’s “situation” improved over the course of the years covered by the film? Why or why not?
No, her situation worsened. Her husband is jailed for 17 months. Her son and his wife and family take over and move into her house; moving her to the confines of one room.
During this period one of her grand children dies. He was 19 months old.
Martha feels disrespected by her daughter-in-law. Her wishes are completely disregarded.
What, for you was the most interesting bit of historical interpretation that Ulrich did with the diary?
I was fascinated with Ulrich figuring out how to map the Scarlet Fever epidemic.
Notes from Class Discussion
- Ballard was an economic partner with her husband
- Family sees this, but respect diminishes with years and age
- Women can’t own property
- Tied to the home in closer ways than husband
- Was not entitled to her own wages
- Not connected at all to the idea of ‘Republican Motherhood.’
- Women were literate in Puritain Society - Everyone should read the Bible for themselves
