History Literature / TheMarthaYears

* PluckyGirl: Martha, her friend Annie and little cousin Mary.

* NotSoDifferent: Down-to-earth Martha feels different from the ladylike Grisie, but Cook points out they're more similar than she thinks, both stubborn, sharp-tongued and dreaming of being somewhere else.

* OverprotectiveDad: Martha's father isn't generally this. However, in between the final book in this series and the first book in the next, Martha becomes estranged from her family when her parents will not allow her to marry Lew Tucker, the blacksmith's son. (As the daughter of a Scottish laird, Lew was seen as below Martha's station.)
* PluckyGirl: Martha obviously, her friend Annie and little cousin Mary.

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Martha to Grisie. Annie, the daughter of one of the tenant farmer's views her younger siblings as this as she's saddled with looking after them.

* BookWorm: Alistair, and Martha's second governess Miss Crow, who turns Martha into one too.

* BrutalHonesty: Cook and Mrs Sandy - the wife of Father's steward are incredibly blunt. At one point Mrs Sandy tells Martha takes after her grandmother who was handsome but not pretty. Luckily Martha admits she prefers people saying things outright rather than hinting around.

* {{Determinator}}: In ''Down To The Bonny Glen'' eight year old Martha runs over three miles to get help for a sick tenant and her parents initially can't believe she made it it such quick time.
** It isn't covered in the series, but when Martha's parents forbade their marriage, Lew left for America to make things easier for her. However Martha was less than happy with her parents, and so left for America after him. They did, in fact, get married, and are shown to be very [[HappilyMarried happy]] together in ''The Charlotte Years''. Lew himself is described as someone who would 'walk through a tempest' to help a friend and proves it in the fourth book.
** Of course, this characterization is TruthInTelevision. The type of people who had the guts to make the journey to America would have ''had'' to be determinators.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Quite a bit, as Melissa Wiley wrote the sequel series ''The Charlotte Years'' as well. Martha's books establishes her curiosity about America, her discomfort with her wealthy lifestyle and even has her discussing names for future children. There are also a lot of hints about her romance with Lew. [[note]]Martha teasing Lew about marrying a man who can do iron work for her, Auld Mary's tale about an InterClassRomance between a lairds daughter and blacksmith, Lew helping her when she's stuck in bed and Martha's admiration for him whenever he's appears.[[/note]]

--> Mrs Sandy: "Och, Miss Martha ye'll worrit yer poor mither to death one o' these days wi' yer wild notions. Imagine the laird's daughter sweepin' ashes and shellin' peas in a weaver's kitchen! Ye'll marry an earl, most likely, or a duke, and ye'll be the one wi' the army o' scullery maids."

* GrowingUpSucks: Martha has a near-constant struggle with this; as the daughter of a laird, the youngest child notwithstanding, she's supposed to be a proper lady like her sister. She would far rather be playing in the fields with the children of the tenants on her father's land than sitting inside sewing, knitting and sketching etc.
* TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry: Martha and her older sister Grisie. Martha is tomboyish, energetic and mischievous, while Grisie is girly, aloof and quiet.
* HappilyMarried: Martha's parents Allan and Margaret, Grisie and her husband Kenneth by the fourth book, Nannie (the Morse's kitchen maid) and Gerald in the third book. Lew and Martha by the next series.
* IAmNotMyFather: Kenneth - Grisie's suitor and later husband - is ashamed of how his father treats his tenants (kicking them off the land because he can make more money sheep-farming) and vows to be a kinder, more compassionate laird when he takes over. He's also generally much more cheerful and friendly than his father who is bad-tempered.
* IdleRich: Martha's Uncle Harry and Aunt Grisie who focus more on entertaining and parties than managing the land and properties. Martha herself feels very insecure in ''Down To The Bonny Glen'' when she realizes her friend Annie cooks for and looks after all her siblings while Martha isn't needed by anyone.

* LadyOfAdventure: Martha emigrated to America when her parents forbade her to marry Lew...As a single woman by herself in the 18th Century.
* LikeFatherLikeSon: Like Aunt Like Niece: Discussed. Martha thinks her cousin Meg - who is jolly and friendly - takes after her own mother, Meg's aunt, particularly because she was named after her. (Meg being short for Margaret). Grisie seems to take after her reserved father more.
* LikeParentLikeSpouse: Martha comments that the merry Kenneth relaxes Grisie, the same way Martha and Grisie's mother loosened up their serious father. Carries into the sequel series with Martha herself, as she's outgoing, talkative and cheerful like her mother - though more hot-tempered and rebellious - while Lew is quiet and calm.
* ManInAKilt: As fitting for the setting many men are depicted wearing kilts on formal or celebratory occasions.
* MarryForLove: Martha big time. Although the readers never get to see it, instead of choosing a land-owner she falls in love with common blacksmith Lew and - when her wealthy parents forbid the match - she doesn't just marry him but first leaves them and goes all the way to America so they can be together. The next series shows the pair very much HappilyMarried so it's clear it was all worth it.
* MassiveNumberedSiblings: Uncle Harry's family with no less than seven children (Janet, Meg, David, Harold, Rachel, Mary and baby Eamonn). Also Mr and Mrs Sandy who have six children (Neil, Annie, Flora, Finlay, Donald and Peggie).
* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: Auld Mary, at least in Martha's eyes. She brews miraculous herbs and medicines, is able to instantly calm babies and has a cat that she talks to and is said to talk back - but Martha's unsure whether she actually has powers or just years of experience and wisdom.
* NiceGuy: Multiple examples. Gerald Cameron who found Martha a hedgehog and later married Nanny, Kenneth (Grisie's eventual husband), all three of Martha's brothers are nice guys in their own way, particularly Duncan. And of course Lew, who helped smuggle Martha craft supplies when she was sick in bed. (Including giving her his own knife).
-->''"Martha had no doubt he'd do as she asked. Lew Tucker was the type of boy who'd walk through the tempest to help a friend."''
* NiceToTheWaiter: All of Martha's family who are very kind to their household servants, though Martha is particularly close to them. Martha is noticeably uncomfortable when she visits her cousins and later Grisie's father-in-law who don't treat them with such familiarity.
* NotSoDifferent: Outdoorsy, down to earth Martha feels very different from the girly, refined Grisie but as Cook points out they're more similar than she thinks, notably both dreaming of going somewhere else and both are stubborn and sharp-tongued with strong tempers.

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Martha's series as a whole compared to the other Little House Girls. She was raised in Scotland in a wealthy, upper class family compared to the rest who grew up in ordinary, working class families in America. [[note]]Martha's daughter Charlotte had a comfortable but prudent upbringing in Boston as a blacksmith's daughter and Laura, Caroline and Rose all lived through near-poverty on the Western frontier.[[/note]]
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Martha can be this Grisie at times. Annie - Martha's friend and daughter of one of the tenant farmer's - views most of her younger siblings as this, mostly because she's saddled with looking after them a lot.

* BenevolentBoss: Martha's father is a beloved land-owner who'd do anything to help his tenants, Martha's mother is also very kind mistress to the servants. Kenneth aims to be one, as his father subverts this and is a harsh landlord, throwing tenants off their land and ignoring the servants.

* BookWorm: Martha's second governess Miss Crow, who quickly turned Martha into one too. Also Martha's oldest brother Alistair.
* BraveScot: Some of Martha's mother's stories present this figure, particularly when she talks about her parent's supporting Bonnie Prince Charlie.

* BrutalHonesty: Cook and Mrs Sandy - the wife of Father's steward - are incredibly blunt and to the point. Mrs Sandy at one point tells Martha she looks like her grandmother who was handsome but not pretty. Luckily Martha isn't a bit offended and admits she prefers people say things outright rather than hint or drop double meanings.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Martha and Lew Tucker, her eventual husband. They're friendly right from the first book from playing together in the valley and grow closer to over the series. Between this series and the next they go through an InterClassRomance and end up HappilyMarried.
* CloseKnitCommunity: Everyone in the small Glen Caraid - from the local villagers to the tenant farmers on the other side of the loch - knows each other and there are many local jokes, traditions and communal celebrations.

* DancesAndBalls: Fairlie has a fancy ballroom and Martha attends a ball there in the third book. Although it's very impressive, Martha felt more comfortable at Nannie's wedding dance where she knew everyone while all of the fine guests at Fairlie are strangers to her.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Martha. [[{{ExecutiveMeddling}} Though the series only covered Martha's pre-teens]], she grew up to marry Lew, a blacksmith instead of a wealthy land-owner as was expected. (While her parents don't hate Lew - they get on with all the residents of Glen Caraid - he would still be utterly unacceptable as a husband). Historical evidence explicitly states her family were unhappy with the match.
* {{Determinator}}: It isn't covered in the series, but when Martha's parents forbade their marriage, Lew left for America to make things easier for Martha. However Martha was less than happy with her parents, and so left for America after him. They did, in fact, get married, and are shown to be very [[HappilyMarried happy]] together in ''The Charlotte Years''.
** There's also the ending of ''Down To The Bonny Glen'' when eight year old Martha runs over three miles to get help for a sick tenant and her parents initially can't believe she made it it such quick time.
** Lew himself is described as someone who would 'walk through a tempest' to help a friend and proves it in the fourth book.
** Of course, this characterization is TruthInTelevision. The type of people who had the guts to make the journey to America and risk everything to start a life there, would have ''had'' to be determinators.

* FragileFlower: Miss Norrie, Martha's first governess is very nervous and emotional. Martha observes she "goes into a flurry" over such horrific behaviours as leaving dirty footprints in the house, getting hair messy, wanting to go for a walk up a hill and visiting the kitchen. When Martha is late for dinner Miss Norrie descends into hysterics. Even older characters like Cook, Auld Mary and later Martha's parents get tired of her.

* LadyOfAdventure: Martha emigrated to America when her parents forbade her to marry Lew...[[{{CrowningMomentOfAwesome}} As a single woman by herself in the 18th Century!]]
* [[{{LikeFatherLikeSon}} Like Aunt Like Niece]]: Discussed. Martha thinks her cousin Meg - who is jolly and friendly - takes after her own mother, Meg's aunt, particularly because she was named after her. (Meg being short for Margaret). Grisie seems to take after her reserved father more.

* MarryForLove: Martha big time. Although the readers never get to see it, instead of choosing a land-owner she falls in love with common blacksmith Lew and - when her wealthy parents forbid the match - she doesn't just marry him but first leaves them and goes all the way to America so they can be together. The next series shows the pair very much HappilyMarried so [[{{CrowningMomentOfHeartWarming}} it's clear it was all worth it.]]

* ProperLady: Grisie, and cousins Rachel and Janet in contrast to Martha's SpiritedYoungLady. Miss Norrie, Martha's first governess is also this and unsuccessfully tried to turn Martha into one.

* SpiritedYoungLady: Martha definitely qualifies, being the daughter of a laird and preferring foot-racing to sewing. Her second governess Miss Crow and cousin Meg also have shades of this.

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Martha's series as a whole compared to the other Little House Girls. She was raised in Scotland in a wealthy, upper class family compared to the rest who grew up in ordinary, working class families in America. [[note]]Martha's daughter Charlotte had a secure and comfortable but prudent upbringing in Boston as a blacksmith's daughter and Laura, Caroline and Rose all lived through near-poverty on the Western frontier.[[/note]]

* BenevolentBoss: Martha's father is a kind-hearted and beloved land-owner who'd do anything to help his tenants, Martha's mother is also very kind mistress to the servants. Kenneth aims to be one as his father subverts this and is a harsh landlord, throwing tenants off their land and ignoring the servants.

* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Martha. [[{{ExecutiveMeddling}} Though the series only covered Martha's pre-teens]], she grew up to marry Lew, a blacksmith instead of a wealthy land-owner as was expected. (While her parents don't hate Lew - indeed they clearly like and respect the Tuckers - he would still be utterly unacceptable as a husband). Historical evidence explicitly states her family were unhappy with the match.

A {{Prequel}} {{Spinoff}} series to {{Literature/Little House on the Prairie}}, about Laura Ingall's great-grandmother Martha Morse.

A {{Prequel}} {{SpinOff}} series to Little House on the Prairie about Laura Ingall's great-grandmother Martha Morse.

[=HarperCollins=] was behind the publishing of this series; years after the original series was published, they hired several people to write three prequel series, each focusing on one of Laura's relatives. ''The Caroline Years'' told the story of Laura's mother, ''Literature/The Charlotte Years'' featured Caroline's mother, and ''The Martha Years'' followed Charlotte's mother.

HarperCollins was behind the publishing of this series; years after the original series was published, they hired several people to write three prequel series, each focusing on one of Laura's relatives. ''The Caroline Years'' told the story of Laura's mother, ''Literature/The Charlotte Years'' featured Caroline's mother, and ''The Martha Years'' followed Charlotte's mother.

The four books, written by Melissa Wiley, are ''Little House in the Highlands,'' ''The Far Side of the Loch'', ''Down to the Bonny Glen'', and ''Beyond the Heather Hills'', chronicling the life of Martha Morse from age six to age ten.

[=HarperCollins=] was behind the publishing of this series; years after the [[Literature/LittleHouseOnThePrairie original series]] was published, they hired several people to write three prequel series, each focusing on one of Laura's relatives. ''The Caroline Years'' told the story of Laura's mother, ''The Charlotte Years'' featured ''Caroline's'' mother, and ''The Martha Years'' followed Charlotte's mother.

!!Tropes relating to Martha Morse, Laura Ingalls Wilder's great-grandmother:

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Martha's series as a whole compared to the other Little House Girls. She grew up in Scotland instead of America like the other four and was from a high class, wealthy background compared to the rest who grew up in ordinary, working class families. [[note]]Martha's daughter Charlotte had a secure and comfortable but prudent upbringing in Boston as a blacksmith's daughter and Laura, Caroline and Rose all lived through near-poverty on the frontier.[[/note]]

* StrongFamilyResemblance: Grisie is described as looking a lot like her mother - dark-haired, warm eyes and the beauty of the county but taller like her father. Meanwhile Martha takes after her father's mother who was handsome "but not one you'd call a beauty".

** Lew himself is described as someone who would 'walk through a tempest' to help someone. He proves it in the fourth book.

* IAmNotMyFather: Kenneth - Grisie's suitor and later husband - is ashamed of how his father treats his tenants (kicking them off the land because he can make more money sheep-farming) and vows to be a kinder, more compassionate laird when he takes over. He's also generally much more cheerful and friendly than his father who is bad-tempered and grumpy.

* [[{{LikeFatherLikeSon}} Like Aunt Like Niece]]: Discussed. Martha thinks her cousin Meg - who is jolly and friendly - takes after her own mother, Meg's aunt, particularly because she was named after her. (Meg being short for Margaret). Grisie seems to take after her reserved father.

* ProperLady: Grisie and cousin Rachel in contrast to Martha's SpiritedYoungLady. Miss Norrie, Martha's first governess is also this and unsuccessfully tried to turn Martha into one.

* [[{{TomboyPrincess}} Tomboy Aristocrat]]: While not royalty Martha is the daughter of a Laird, a Scottish landowner

* BenevolentBoss: Martha's father is a kind-hearted and beloved land-owner who'd do anything to help his tenants, Martha's mother is also very kind mistress to the servants. Kenneth aims to become this when he takes over as laird as his father subverts this and is a harsh landlord, throwing tenants off their land to make more money sheep-farming instead and ignoring the servants.
* BigFancyHouse: Fairlie, one of Martha's father's properties across the loch. (Though he and Martha both prefer their small 'Stone House'.)

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Quite a bit, as Melissa Wiley wrote the sequel series ''The Charlotte Years'' as well. Martha's books establishes her curiosity about America, her discomfort with her wealthy lifestyle and even has her discussing names for future children. There are also a lot of hints about her romance with Lew. [[note]]Martha teasing Lew about marrying a man who can do iron work for her, Auld Mary's tale about an InterClassRomance between a lairds daughter and blacksmith, Lew helping her when she's stuck in bed and Martha's open admiration for him whenever he's appears.[[/note]]

* IAmNotMyFather: Kenneth - Grisie's suitor and later husband - is ashamed of how his father treats his tenants (kicking them off the land because he can make more money sheep-farming) and vows to be a kinder, more compassionate laird when he takes over. He's also generally much more cheerful and friendly than his father who is bad-tempered and disdainful.

* LadyOfAdventure: Martha emigrated to America when her parents forbade her to marry Lew Tucker...[[{{CrowningMomentOfAwesome}} As a single woman by herself in the 18th Century!]]
* [[{{LikeFatherLikeSon}} Like Aunt Like Niece]]: Discussed. Martha thinks her cousin Meg - who is jolly and friendly - takes after her own mother, Meg's aunt, particularly because she was named after her. (Meg being short for Margaret). Grisie seems to take after her reserved father. (And is noted to be similar to her refined, graceful Aunt Griselle although they're not related by blood).
* LikeParentLikeSpouse: Martha comments that the merry Kenneth relaxes Grisie, the same way Martha and Grisie's mother loosened up their father. Carries into the sequel series with Martha herself, as she's outgoing and cheerful like her mother while Lew is quiet and calm.

* MassiveNumberedSiblings: Uncle Harry's family with no less than seven children (Janet, Meg, David, Harold, Rachel, Mary and baby Eamonn).

* NotSoDifferent: Outdoorsy, down to earth Martha feels very different from the girly, refined Grisie but as Cook points out they're more similar than she thinks, notably both dreaming of going somewhere else and both stubborn, sharp-tongued and have strong tempers.
* ObnoxiousInLaws: Grisie's father-in-law isn't the most pleasant of guys.
* OldMaid: Cook, though she admits by choice as she had plenty of suitors she turned down. Although it's not commented on, Miss Crow would be heading this way too.

* TheQuietOne: The Tuckers (Lew's family) are this to the whole valley. Everyone even jokes that the world will end if two of them speak on the same day.

* RichesToRags: Martha between this series and the next. Or rather Riches-To-Commoner as she wasn't poor as a blacksmith's wife but she certainly lost the status and luxuries she grew up with. Played with in that she chose to leave her wealthy lifestyle as she was never comfortable with it and shows no regrets about the change.

* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: A recurring theme. Nanny goes for the plain NiceGuy Gerald over his arrogant brother Henry, out of her many suitors Grisie chooses the good-natured Kenneth and Martha clearly follows the pattern marrying Lew, who she's describes as incredibly loyal and kind-hearted throughout the series.

* TheCityVsTheCountry: A recurring theme. Martha's cousins, aunt and uncle come from the city and are more sophisticated while Martha's parents (especially her father) prefer living simply in the rural Glen Caraid. When Uncle Harry's family come to live in the valley, Martha is surprised how little Rachel and Mary are allowed outdoors - Cook even points out they won't be able to manage a 3 mile trek like she can. Also an issue with Martha's governesses: Her first governess Miss Norrie dislikes living at the Stone House because it's so isolated, while Miss Crow's first words are how much she loves the view and quickly explores the area. It's also a conflict between Martha and Grisie: Martha is happy living in the valley, but Grisie wishes to go away to school in the city. (Interestingly when she marries Kenneth they live in Perth, but at the end of the book they move back to the country, while in the sequel series Martha is happily living in the town of Roxbury near Boston so they both seem to have found middle ground).

* CountryMouse: Martha when visiting Perth in the fourth book. Inverted when her city cousins Rachel and Mary come to visit her and are intimidated by Martha's energetic country lifestyle.

* RomanticismVersusEnlightenment: Touched on, reflecting the turn of the 18th Century thinking. Many of the locals of Glencaraid (Cook, Mrs Sandy, Nannie etc.) believe strongly in Scottish myths and following traditional customs, while more urban and educated characters (Alisdair after going away to school, Miss Norrie, Miss Crow and Allan Morse to a certain extent) bring in modern thinking, science and logic. Martha herself loves the older myths and customs, but is also interested in new ideas and learning.

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Martha's series as a whole compared to the other "Little House Girls". She grew up in Scotland instead of America like the other four and was from a high-class, wealthy background compared to the rest who grew up in ordinary, working class families. [[note]]Martha's daughter Charlotte had a secure and comfortable but prudent upbringing in Boston as a blacksmith's daughter and Laura, Caroline and Rose all lived through near-poverty on the frontier.[[/note]]

* AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther: That said Martha and Grisie do have a few of these moments, particularity in the fourth book when Grisie has married and moved away, making them realize how much they miss each other.

* BenevolentBoss: Martha's father is a very kind-hearted and beloved land-owner who'd do anything to help his tenants, Martha's mother is also very kind mistress to the servants. Kenneth aims to become this when he takes over as laird from his father. Subverted with his father who is a harsh landlord and throws tenants off their land to make more money sheep-farming instead.

* BookWorm: Martha's second governess Miss Crow, who fast turned Martha into one too. Also Martha's oldest brother Alistair.

* BrutalHonesty: Cook and Mrs Sandy are incredibly blunt and to the point. Mrs Sandy at one point tells Martha she looks like her grandmother who was handsome but not pretty. Luckily Martha isn't a bit offended and admits she prefers people to say things outright rather than hint at them or drop double meanings.

* CloseKnitCommunity: Everyone in Glen Caraid - from the local village and the tenant farmers on the other side of the loch - knows each other and there are many local jokes, traditions and communal celebrations.

* DancesAndBalls: Fairlie has a fancy ballroom and Martha attends a ball there in the third book. Although it's very impressive, Martha felt more comfortable at Nanny's wedding dance where she knew everyone while all of the fine guests at Fairlie are strangers to her.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Martha. [[{{ExecutiveMeddling}} Though the series only covered Martha's pre-teens]], she grew up to marry Lew, a blacksmith instead of a wealthy land-owner as was expected. Historical evidence explicity states her family were unhappy with the match.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Quite a bit, as Melissa Wiley wrote the sequel series ''The Charlotte Years'' as well. Martha's books establishes her curiosity about America, her discomfort with her wealthy lifestyle and even includes her discussing names for future children. There's also quite a few hints about her romance with Lew. [[note]]Martha teasing Lew about marrying a man who can do iron work for her, Auld Mary's tale about an InterClassRomance between a lairds daughter and blacksmith, Lew helping her when she's stuck in bed and Martha's open admiration for him whenever he's appears.[[/note]]
* GrowingUpSucks: Martha has a near-constant struggle with this; as the daughter of a laird, the youngest child notwithstanding, she's supposed to be a proper lady, like her sister. She would far rather be playing in the fields with the children of the tenants on her father's land than sitting inside sewing, spinning, knitting, etc.

* HappilyMarried: Martha's parents Allan and Margaret, Grisie and her husband Kenneth by the fourth book, Nanny (the Morse's kitchen maid) and Gerald in the third book. Lew and Martha by the next series.

* BrutalHonesty: Cook and Mrs Sandy are incredibly blunt and to the point. Mrs Sandy at one point tells Martha she looks like her grandmother who was handsome but not pretty, luckily Martha isn't a bit offended and much prefers people to say things outright rather than hint at them or drop double meanings.