Lizzie Borden is perhaps one of the most infamous figures in American history. Born in 1860 in Fall River, Massachusetts, she became the center of one of the most sensational murder trials in the country. The case surrounded the brutal killing of her father Andrew Borden and stepmother Abby Borden on August 4, 1892. What makes the story of Lizzie Borden so captivating is the mystery that still surrounds the case. Despite being acquitted of the murders, many people still believe that she was indeed guilty. The evidence against her was circumstantial at best, but the public seemed convinced of her guilt, dubbing her with the infamous rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an ax, and gave her mother forty whacks.
The evidence against her was circumstantial at best, but the public seemed convinced of her guilt, dubbing her with the infamous rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an ax, and gave her mother forty whacks." The case was a media frenzy, with newspapers detailing the gruesome details of the crime and the trial that followed. The intense scrutiny and public condemnation seemed to follow Lizzie for the rest of her life.
Wicked Drawing
This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
The Wizard of Oz is a popular story known throughout the world. Everyone recognizes its plot: an innocent girl from Kansas falls into the Land of Oz, accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, meets a mostly charming cast of characters, and escapes the evil-doings of the Wicked Witch of the West, all to get back home to Kansas. It's a classic tale of good versus evil. Or is it? What if the story were told from the Wicked Witch's perspective?
Written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduced readers to the Wicked Witch of the West, a character so cruel that her name became synonymous with evil. The 1939 movie (starring Judy Garland) made the Witch even scarier, with green skin, a cackling voice, and a pointy hat. Her flying monkey minions and Winkie guards did nothing to soften her image.
Wicked
The Witch maintained an evil persona until 1995, when author Gregory Maguire gave her a reprieve. Influenced by the political turmoil of the Vietnam era, Maguire was curious about how people determined if someone was good or bad. Did a negative outcome make a person bad, even if his intensions were good? Maguire set out to study this question through the character of the Wicked Witch. The result was a book entitled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
In his original books, Baum had given the Witch no origin story and no name. By contrast, Maguire's book tells her story from birth to death and bestows on her the name Elphaba. As a child and teenager, Elphaba--with her green skin and savage nature--is an outsider among both her family and peers. As an adult, she becomes a political activist and joins a resistance movement against the Wizard of Oz, whom she sees as a tyrant. While her actions are meant to help a repressed people, they often have a negative outcome, making Elphaba appear wicked. The Wizard of Oz sees her as a threat, and it's in his best interest to turn the public against her. Maguire's book presents the Witch as mischaracterized rather than simply evil.
Though Wicked wasn't an instant bestseller, it gained in popularity and was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. The Wicked Witch has become an icon for some, representing a person who tries to improve society and a misfit who recognizes what she has to offer.
Maguire sketched this depiction of Elphaba in 2010 when a Kansas Historical Society staff member contacted him to acquire materials related to the book or musical for the collections. Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society's Kansas Museum of History in 2010.
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Entry: Wicked Drawing
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: December 2010
Date Modified: December 2014
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
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She became an outcast in her own community and was haunted by the accusations against her. It is said that Lizzie Borden lived out her days in relative seclusion, the weight of the murders and the public's opinion of her forever haunting her. She died in 1927, never having escaped the shadow of the crimes she was accused of committing. The curse of Lizzie Borden continues to captivate and intrigue people to this day. The story has been retold in countless books, movies, and television shows. The notion of a seemingly innocent woman committing such a brutal crime has a certain allure, and the unresolved nature of the case only adds to the fascination. Whether Lizzie Borden was truly guilty will likely never be known. The curse of her name and the infamous murders will forever be a part of American history, shrouded in mystery and speculation..
Reviews for "The Influence of Lizzie Borden on Feminism and Women's Rights"
1. Daniel - 1 star
I was really excited to watch "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" as I am a fan of true crime stories. However, I was extremely disappointed with this film. The storyline was weak and lacked depth, and the acting was subpar at best. It felt like a low-budget made-for-TV movie with cheesy dialogue and predictable jump scares. The whole film relied heavily on clichés and failed to deliver anything new or intriguing. Overall, it was a waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" considering the fascinating true story it is based on. Unfortunately, the movie fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it felt like it took forever for anything significant to happen. The characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult for me to connect with them or care about their fates. The film also relied too heavily on cheap jump scares and clichéd horror tropes, instead of building genuine tension or creating a sense of dread. Overall, while the premise had potential, the execution was disappointing.
3. Mark - 1 star
"The Curse of Lizzie Borden" was an absolute disaster. The acting was laughable, with dialogue that felt forced and unnatural. The film failed to capture the dark and chilling atmosphere that should accompany a story like this. The plot was incredibly disjointed, leaving me confused and unengaged throughout. The only positive aspect was the cinematography, which at times provided aesthetically pleasing shots. However, that alone couldn't salvage this poorly made film. Save yourself the time and skip this one. It's definitely not worth it.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
As a fan of horror movies, I was excited to watch "The Curse of Lizzie Borden." However, it turned out to be a disappointment. The film lacked originality and relied on tired horror movie clichés. The scares were predictable and not at all effective. Additionally, the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. While the cinematography was visually appealing, it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster storyline and unimpressive performances. Overall, "The Curse of Lizzie Borden" failed to deliver a memorable horror experience.