The Ballards

Cyrus is my favorite of Ephraim and Martha’s children. He is mute since age twelve because of diphtheria. Outside the Ballards, he is pitied and thought dimwitted. “Women look at him as though he’s stupid. Simply because he cannot speak. They fear it is an illness. That it’s catching. Some affliction that could be passed on to their children.” In spite of that, he is a good, strong, kind-hearted and intelligent man. Usually grinning with good cheer, but with a wall around his heart. Because of being mute, he will probably never marry or have children of his own. His greatest desire is to go to sea, but that will not happen.

Ephraim tells Martha he is glad she chose him. Martha thinks that Ephraim did the choosing. He states that he did the courting. “Any man worth his salt knows it’s a woman who does the choosing. And any who thinks differently is a fool.” This is played out with Dolly who finds Barnabas Lambard attractive at first sight, choosing him before she even knew him. But her stubbornness almost destroys that chance for love when Barnabas arrives to arrest her brother Cyrus and she tells Barnabas that if he arrests Cyrus, she will never speak to him again. “Not one time. Ever.” Then she slaps him. Because she has inserted herself into a court matter is disappointing to Barnabas. But Barnabas is content to bide his time because he knows he’s won her heart.

I realize this is not actually an answer to the question, but what I found most moving about the Ballards was Ephraim’s relationship with Martha, beginning with his insistence on marrying when they did and “going to housekeeping” immediately. That was both a statement of his commitment to her for al who might pay attention and also a protection for her should she be pregnant as a result of the rape. Then he leaves it entirely to Martha to decide when she his ready to consummate their marriage, when she is prepared for sexual intercourse, even from the man she loves and who clearly loves her.

I found all of her children spunky and determined. I agree with Nancy that Dolly’s response to Barnabas Lambert best captures both her spirit and the loyalty and love of the Ballards. Jonathan, though, is the one I found most complex, in his relationship with his mother, in his contribution to the family’s business and survival and in his sense of justice and responsibility. As much as he and Martha clash, as he sees her as censuring him, I think he really wants her respect.

Like Nancy, I think my favourite of the children was Cyrus. Lawhon did a good job of building up my respect for him and making him a well-rounded character. He was brave, hardworking, stood up for Hannah and his family, had dreams and loves he could not attain yet remained positive and optimistic. I had hoped Cyrus would end up with Sarah but it was not meant to be. As for relationships I was cheering most for Dolly and Barnabas, mainly because I thought Barnabas was the most interesting of the suitors.

I didn’t have a favorite when it came between Hannah and Molly’s suitors. I liked how we are introduced to Moses when he attends the autopsy with Martha and is trying to impress her. And Hannah seemed like a level-headed young woman. And Dolly is quite independent and well suited for Barnabas. Their conflict later in the book added an extra bit of drama that was entertaining.

At first I didn’t like Jonathan very much and yet he is the most complex of the children (as Jane points out), given the events in the book. He’s also a curious blend of his parents – almost like their strong independence and stubbornness seen in its extremes. I liked his story arc towards maturity because it contrasted those of the other children, who all had more conventional paths. What struck me as odd was that killing a man wasn’t what really made him grow up, it was being responsible for his baby.

Like Nancy and Tara, I was most rooting for Cyrus; he seemed so deserving of love and a family of his own, and was being judged superficially and found wanting by society, which was so unfair. I had hopes for him and Sarah, but really can’t fault her for her unwavering love of her baby’s father.

I also loved Cyrus and Martha and Ephraim’s relationship. I liked the rest of Martha and Ephraim’s children as well. The reveal that Jonathan was involved in Burgess’ death was a bit of a surprise and I wondered if he somehow might be estranged from the family as a result.