Questions About The Witching Tide

by Margaret Meyer (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (1)

We're told that Martha is mute, or rather that she can speak but doesn't because it hurts. We're told that she has a serpent in her throat. Does anyone know if there's an actual medical condition that can cause pain leading someone not to speak? I like my historical fiction to have a factual basis. If Martha's muteness is just an allegory for the silencing of women, it seems weak to me. A gimmick.

Helen Cummings Yes I wondered that too. I know there’s a condition called elective mutism when the person is unable to speak usually caused by trauma and I wondered …moreYes I wondered that too. I know there’s a condition called elective mutism when the person is unable to speak usually caused by trauma and I wondered if this was her problem too as she had a particularly traumatic childhood.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

what did the poppet actually do? did i miss what powers it contained? was it just something that meant something to martha?

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