So, what is it about this particular photograph? Please tell me.
-- Martha (Halifax Isn’t Mentioned in the Old Testament)

Importance: After Nora’s act of near-destruction, she is questioned by Martha, detective for the Halifax police. Martha gets to the heart of Nora’s determined act to destroy the painting. She asks Nora why she would do such a thing. Nora’s reasoning becomes the basis for the novel.

What I wonder is, what happened to Nora in the first place, darling?
-- Martha (Arts and Crafts)

Importance: Here, Jacob and Martha discuss Nora. Martha finds it hard to believe someone as sane and together as Nora could have a breakdown. Not only does Martha want to get to the truth behind the photo, but why someone like Nora would breakdown to begin with. The photograph has only yielded more questions rather than answers, and Jacob and Martha want to get to the bottom of them all.

The war’s over. Bernie’s coming home...
-- Nora (The End of the War Café)