Lizzie Borden script Flashcards
Intro
Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks, and when she saw what she had done she gave her father 41.” Similar to many nursery rhymes, the real story is deceptively dark and sinister. It is based on the real-life , violent murder of Lizzie Borden’s parents, Abby and Andrew Borden. Scandal and public scrutiny surrounded this case during its time due to its brutal nature and many unanswered questions. Even today, with modern technology, and a narrow list of suspects, enthusiasts argue about the identity of the perpetrator. To understand the controversial nature of the murderer’s identity, it is important to comprehend the inner-workings of the Bordens and their time.
Bridget 1
Another key player in the Borden Murder case is Bridget Sullivan. Bridget had recently immigrated from Ireland when the Borden family hired her to be their maid. According to the Honors College Project “The History of Lizzie Borden: Burying the Axe” by Christian Ford, due to Bridget’s status as a female, Irish immigrant, she was only paid $2.50 a “work” week. The Bordens disrespected Bridget constantly, verbally abused her and made her work-life miserable.
Bridget 2
The theory that Bridget committed the murders centers on her motive and location. The premise is Bridget, resentful for the years of abuse and racism that she has experienced at the hands of the Bordens, finally snapped after Abby Borden ordered her to clean all of the windows of the house on the hottest day of the year. Incensed with rage, Bridget waited till both Lizzie and Emma were out of the house and the couple were separated. While Andrew was downstairs napping on the couch, Bridget went upstairs and killed Abby first, and then went back down for Andrew to finish her murdering spree.
Bridget 3
The theory of Bridget being the murderer also includes how she avoided suspicion and used Lizzie as a scapegoat. The 1800’s was a difficult time to be an immigrant, ethnic person, or woman; as everyone who fell in those categories was looked down upon by society. So by taking advantage of the very same system that oppressed her, Bridget used the Police’s disdain and prejudice against the ability and intellect of women and immigrants to become virtually invisible. Even though Bridget allegedly was the only person in the house at the time of the murder, she was not considered seriously as a capable suspect. The police did not scrutinize her testimony as closely as they did to the other suspects, and only used Bridget as a witness to describe the environment of the Borden household.
Lizzie 1
Lizzie Borden was the second daughter of Andrew Borden and Sarah Borden. When Sarah died, the eldest daughter, Emma, became a maternal figure to Lizzie, and practically raised her. Three years after Sarah’s death, Andrew remarried Abby Duffree Gray, much to the displeasure of Lizzie and Emma. According to the article “Vengeful Daughter: How Lizzie Borden Got Away With Murder” by Robert Booth, “Lizzie “Would not or did not, dine at the same table with her father and stepmother.” Lizzie referred to Abby as a ”horrid old thing.” Despite their complicated family ties, the Bordens were filthy rich, and would be considered millionaires by today’s standards. However, Andrew Borden was a notorious miser, which directly affected the Borden household’s quality of life. His money saving, or rather money hoarding, tendencies made them live in a home well below their means. Andrew picked a house in the city without plumbing or electricity. Emma and Lizzie resented the house’s conditions and wanted to live in a more modern house in the suburbs, where most of the wealthy lived.
Lizzie 2
The theory surrounding Lizzie is that she murdered her stepmother in the guest room upstairs, and then her father while he was napping on the couch with an axe. Then, Lizzie cleaned the blood off of the axe with some cloth that she left in a bucket in the basement, and broke off and disposed of the axe handle to get rid of the weapon. Later, after the funeral, Lizzie burned the dress to get rid of the rest of the evidence, but was spotted and reported to the police. When questioned about this, Lizzie denied the dress having any relation to the murders and said that she had burned it because it had been ruined by paint stains. Lizzie immediately became the most probable suspect due to her odd behavior while being questioned as well as during the trial. When giving her testimony to the police, Lizzie originally claimed to have spent 30 minutes in the barn attic before finding her father’s body; however, when investigated, the attic was coated with a thick layer of dust and there were no foot or handprints to show she had actually been up there. Throughout the trial, Lizzie exhibited an eerie calm without shedding a single tear and rarely spoke. Despite all of the evidence, and Lizzie’s odd behavior, she was acquitted from all charges and found innocent by an all male jury on account of her “good character.”
Lizzie 3
Part of what makes Lizzie such a popular suspect, besides the evidence that was found in the crime scenes, were her actions after being acquitted from the charges. Many theorize that growing up under Andrew’s extreme frugal tendencies caused her to have an obsession with money. Almost immediately after obtaining her share of the inheritance, Lizzie’s elaborate spending spree began. She bought a manor called “MapleCroft” in an exclusively wealthy area called “The Hill.” Lizzie even changed her name, opting to go by “Lizbeth” instead. Lizzie’s actions to distance herself from her past, and adopting a lavish lifestyle, seem to indicate a direct motive for her to have committed the murders.
