Hadar

Hadar Character Analysis

Hadar is Ana's mother and the wife of Matthias, Herod Antipas's chief scribe. She appears early in the novel as a primary antagonist, embodying the oppressive societal expectations that Ana rebels against. Driven by insecurity about her origins and resentment toward her husband, Hadar is obsessed with social status, relentlessly pushing Ana into a conventional, high-status marriage. Her actions stem from a fierce love for her adopted son, Judas, and a desire for revenge against Matthias.

Who Is Hadar?

Hadar is a woman defined by the chasm between her outward appearance and inner turmoil. She is beautiful and commands the trappings of wealth, yet she is consumed by bitterness and a thirst for vengeance. Trapped in a loveless marriage and haunted by her past, she seeks to control her daughter's destiny, attempting to mold Ana into a reflection of the societal ideals she herself has internalized. Hadar's actions, though often cruel, are rooted in a desire to protect those she loves and to strike back at a world that has denied her true agency.

Personality & Traits

Hadar's personality is a complex blend of ambition, resentment, and a desperate need for control. While she presents a facade of elegance and refinement, her inner life is marked by a deep-seated insecurity and a burning desire for revenge.

• Status-Conscious: Acutely aware of her "low bearing" as the daughter of a poor merchant, Hadar relentlessly strives to project an image of wealth and importance. She sees Ana's marriage as a means to elevate the family's standing, pushing her towards an "honorable match."
• Manipulative and Devious: Hadar operates through secrecy and control, arranging Ana's betrothal without her knowledge and using her servant, Shipra, as a spy. Her most significant deception is feigning barrenness for years to deny Matthias a biological son, using herbs and resins as contraceptives.
• Traditionalist: Hadar is a staunch enforcer of patriarchal norms, viewing Ana's passion for writing and learning as an "unnatural tendency." She believes a woman's purpose is to be beautiful, marry well, and produce children, a stark contrast to Ana's intellectual and spiritual aspirations.
• Vengeful: Her defining motivation is her cold fury toward her husband. Believing Matthias has never truly accepted Judas, she enacts a "methodical and spectacular" revenge by secretly preventing further pregnancies, thus denying him a male heir.
• Pragmatic: She views marriage as a transaction devoid of emotion, dismissing Ana's desire for a loving partner. She tells her that happiness is not the goal of a betrothal, but rather honor and security.

Character Journey

Hadar's character arc is less about transformation and more about the gradual unveiling of her motivations. Initially, she appears as a cruel, status-obsessed antagonist. However, as the story progresses, the reader gains insight into the events that shaped her. Her actions are reframed as a desperate rebellion within a loveless marriage. Her hatred for Matthias calcifies after he betrays Judas to Herod Antipas. Her final act of defiance—refusing to move to Tiberias with Matthias—is not a change in character but the ultimate expression of the resentment she has harbored for decades. She dies as she lived: isolated, bitter, and estranged from her daughter.

Key Relationships

• Ana: Hadar's relationship with her daughter is defined by conflict and control. She views Ana's intellectual gifts as shameful "audacities" that threaten her marriage prospects. She attempts to suppress Ana's spirit, seeing her as a pawn to secure the family's social standing. Ana, in turn, initially views her mother as her primary oppressor, though this view is later tempered with a degree of pity as she understands the constraints Hadar faced.

• Matthias: Her marriage to Matthias is a cold, loveless arrangement built on social climbing rather than affection. She despises him for his social snobbery and, most significantly, for his perceived failure to love Judas as a true son. Her entire life in his house becomes an act of quiet, sustained revenge against him, fueled by years of resentment and a desire to inflict the same emotional pain she feels.

• Judas: He is the "lone heritor of her adoration," and her fierce love for her adopted son is the source of her deepest resentments and most calculated cruelties. She sees him as vulnerable and deserving of protection, fueling her animosity towards Matthias, whom she believes does not truly value Judas. Matthias's betrayal of Judas is the final, unforgivable act that severs any remaining connection between husband and wife.

• Yaltha: Hadar views Yaltha with suspicion and hostility, seeing her as a corrupting influence who encourages Ana's intellectual rebellion. She resents Yaltha's education and worldliness, which stand in stark contrast to her own constrained existence. Hadar sees Yaltha as a threat to her control over Ana, fearing that she will lead her daughter down a path that defies societal expectations.

Defining Moments

Hadar's defining moments reveal the depth of her bitterness, her manipulative nature, and her unwavering commitment to protecting Judas.

• Arranging Ana's Betrothal: Hadar's manipulation reaches its peak when she secretly arranges Ana's betrothal to the elderly widower Nathaniel ben Hananiah. She dresses Ana in finery and parades her through the market to be inspected like property, demonstrating her complete disregard for her daughter's happiness. This moment highlights Hadar's willingness to sacrifice Ana's well-being for the sake of social advancement.
• Confrontation Over Contraceptives: When Ana discovers Hadar's use of herbs to prevent pregnancy, she believes she has found leverage to escape her betrothal. However, Hadar coldly dismisses the threat, revealing the depth of her deception and her lack of fear of Matthias. This confrontation exposes the extent of Hadar's rebellion against her husband and her determination to control her own destiny, even within the confines of her marriage.
• Judas's Arrest: After Matthias hands Judas over to Herod Antipas, Hadar's simmering hatred for her husband boils over. She is described as having "eyes...shining with abhorrence." This moment solidifies her emotional separation from him.
• Death: Hadar dies alone in Sepphoris after refusing to follow Matthias to the new capital of Tiberias. Her death from an infected wound is reported to Ana by Judas, highlighting the profound and permanent distance that grew between mother and daughter. This final act of defiance underscores her unwavering commitment to her own path, even in the face of death.

Essential Quotes

"Few girls find happiness in the beginning, but this is a marriage of honor. You will want for nothing."

Hadar's pragmatic view of marriage is encapsulated in this quote. She prioritizes security and social standing over love and happiness, reflecting the societal expectations placed upon women of her time. This quote reveals her belief that a woman's worth is determined by her ability to secure a financially stable and socially advantageous match.

"We didn’t tell you because we had no wish to endure your fit of protest. It’s bad enough that you raise a dispute now in public."

This quote reveals Hadar's manipulative nature and her desire to control Ana's actions. She avoids open communication and suppresses Ana's voice, fearing that her daughter's defiance will disrupt her carefully laid plans. This quote highlights the power imbalance between mother and daughter and Hadar's willingness to prioritize her own agenda over Ana's feelings.

"A man is what he is. His lust can be greater than himself."

Hadar's cynical view of men is evident in this quote. She acknowledges their flaws and weaknesses, suggesting that they are driven by base desires. This quote reflects her own experiences in a loveless marriage and her belief that men are inherently untrustworthy.

"Why should I care if you tell him what he already guesses?"

This quote reveals Hadar's defiance and her lack of fear of Matthias. She is willing to openly acknowledge her deception, suggesting that she has nothing to lose. This quote highlights her rebellious spirit and her determination to assert her own agency, even within the confines of her marriage.