Marthas
Women who serve
Marthas is a plural referring to multiple people named Martha, or used attributively for a type.
In *The Handmaid's Tale*, Marthas are domestic servants in the dystopian household system—women assigned to cooking and cleaning rather than childbearing.
The usage draws on the biblical Martha, who busied herself with housework while her sister Mary sat listening to Jesus.
Ancient Judean settlement
- LazarusBiblical man raised from death
- MaryCommon feminine name
- JesusChristian faith's divine son
- GospelChristian salvation teaching
Luke · New Testament · service · distracted · hospitality · kitchen · sister · faith
Managing domestic life
- housekeepingDomestic cleaning and upkeep
- hostessFemale event organizer
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- tidinessState of being neat
cleanliness · orderliness · chores · caregiving · cooking · baking · organizing · decorating
Traditional woman's name
- femininePertaining to women
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- classicOf lasting excellence
- vintageQuality from past eras
old-fashioned · biblical · saint · patron
Bethany
Ancient Judean settlement
Gospel · Luke · New Testament · service · distracted · hospitality · kitchen · sister · faith · devotion
homemaking
Managing domestic life
- housekeepingDomestic cleaning and upkeep
- hostessFemale event organizer
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
tidiness · cleanliness · orderliness · chores · caregiving · cooking · baking · organizing · decorating · crafting
Margaret
Traditional woman's name
- femininePertaining to women
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- classicOf lasting excellence
vintage · old-fashioned · biblical · saint · patron
island
Water-bounded land mass
- MassachusettsNortheastern colonial state
- Cape CodMassachusetts coastal peninsula
- NantucketMassachusetts island resort
ferry · resort · beaches · summer · Atlantic · New England · tourism · vacation · Kennedys · celebrity
MarthasMarys
Plural of a name
contemplatives · mystics · meditators · monastics · listeners
MarthasMarys
Plural of a name
hermits · desert fathers · cenobites · Carmelites · Trappists
- Martha StewartHomemaking media entrepreneur
- Martha's VineyardMassachusetts island off Cape Cod
- Martha WashingtonInitial first lady
- Martha Graham
- Martha Kent