TV-Series
Description
Martha Phoebe Sowerby is a supporting character in the anime adaptation of The Secret Garden, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel. She is a young maidservant at Misselthwaite Manor, the remote Yorkshire estate where the orphaned Mary Lennox is sent to live. Martha comes from a large, close-knit family that lives on the moors; her mother is Susan Sowerby, and her younger brother is Dickon Sowerby. Though poor, her family is warm and hardworking, and Martha carries those values into her job.
In terms of personality, Martha is practical, straightforward, and no-nonsense. She does not tolerate tantrums or demands for special treatment, expecting Mary to dress herself and behave reasonably. At the same time, she is unfailingly kind and generous, using her own modest wages to buy Mary a jump rope when she notices the girl has no toys. Her frankness and levelheadedness make her a stabilizing presence for Mary, who arrives spoiled and ill-tempered. Martha is also deeply family-oriented, speaking often of her mother and Dickon with affection, and she spends her monthly day off helping her mother bake and care for her siblings.
Martha’s primary motivation is to do her job well and to help Mary adjust to her new life. She is not ambitious or self-serving; instead, she derives satisfaction from seeing Mary become healthier and more cheerful. Her willingness to share stories about the moors and her family sparks Mary’s curiosity about the world beyond the manor.
In the story, Martha functions as a crucial catalyst for Mary’s transformation. She introduces Mary to the legend of the locked secret garden and to her brother Dickon, who provides gardening tools and companionship. Martha’s kindness and practical advice help Mary move from isolation toward engagement with nature and others. She also indirectly influences Colin, Mary’s cousin, by describing Dickon’s abilities, which inspires Colin to believe in his own potential.
Martha’s key relationships include her bond with Mary, which evolves from mistress‑servant to genuine friendship; her warm rapport with her mother and siblings; and her professional but respectful interactions with the other manor staff. She admires and supports Dickon wholeheartedly.
Over the course of the series, Martha shows little personal change because she is already a stable, mature character. However, her role helps Mary and Colin undergo their own development. Martha’s growth is subtle, seen in her increasing pride and joy as the secret garden is restored and the children flourish.
Notable abilities include her practical household skills, her deep familiarity with the Yorkshire moors and its wildlife, and her talent for telling engaging stories about her family. She also has a knack for gentle encouragement, knowing when to be firm and when to offer comfort. Her connection to nature and her understanding of simple, honest labor make her a grounding influence on the more privileged children.
In terms of personality, Martha is practical, straightforward, and no-nonsense. She does not tolerate tantrums or demands for special treatment, expecting Mary to dress herself and behave reasonably. At the same time, she is unfailingly kind and generous, using her own modest wages to buy Mary a jump rope when she notices the girl has no toys. Her frankness and levelheadedness make her a stabilizing presence for Mary, who arrives spoiled and ill-tempered. Martha is also deeply family-oriented, speaking often of her mother and Dickon with affection, and she spends her monthly day off helping her mother bake and care for her siblings.
Martha’s primary motivation is to do her job well and to help Mary adjust to her new life. She is not ambitious or self-serving; instead, she derives satisfaction from seeing Mary become healthier and more cheerful. Her willingness to share stories about the moors and her family sparks Mary’s curiosity about the world beyond the manor.
In the story, Martha functions as a crucial catalyst for Mary’s transformation. She introduces Mary to the legend of the locked secret garden and to her brother Dickon, who provides gardening tools and companionship. Martha’s kindness and practical advice help Mary move from isolation toward engagement with nature and others. She also indirectly influences Colin, Mary’s cousin, by describing Dickon’s abilities, which inspires Colin to believe in his own potential.
Martha’s key relationships include her bond with Mary, which evolves from mistress‑servant to genuine friendship; her warm rapport with her mother and siblings; and her professional but respectful interactions with the other manor staff. She admires and supports Dickon wholeheartedly.
Over the course of the series, Martha shows little personal change because she is already a stable, mature character. However, her role helps Mary and Colin undergo their own development. Martha’s growth is subtle, seen in her increasing pride and joy as the secret garden is restored and the children flourish.
Notable abilities include her practical household skills, her deep familiarity with the Yorkshire moors and its wildlife, and her talent for telling engaging stories about her family. She also has a knack for gentle encouragement, knowing when to be firm and when to offer comfort. Her connection to nature and her understanding of simple, honest labor make her a grounding influence on the more privileged children.