# Dear Martha — Poetry character guide

> Dear Martha in Poetry by George MacDonald.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Martha, XIV Martha, XIV

**First appearance:** 0056-the-gospel-women

## Who they are

Biblical sister of Mary and Lazarus, appears in gospel poems.

## In the story

### [Abu Midjan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/abu-midjan)

Saad's wife who frees Abu Midjan to fight and later reveals his identity to Saad.

### [XIV: Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xiv-martha)

Martha is portrayed with joyful pride in hosting Jesus, yet she is burdened by household cares and later protests at her brother's tomb, revealing her struggle between action and faith.

### [XV: Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xv-mary)

Martha appears as the anxious server who complains about Mary's inaction, but is gently rebuked by Jesus.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/dear_martha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters