Friday, October 9, 2015

What would be an insightful research question about Lizzie Borden?

Lizzie Borden was tried but acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892. Lizzie was immediately under suspicion for the crime, while her sister, Emma (who was not in town), was not. While Lizzie was indicted for the crime, she was finally acquitted. During the trial, she did not testify, and she died in Fall River in 1927. No one was ever convicted of the murders.


Questions about the trial have remained since the time of Lizzie's acquittal. Some research questions might focus on why Lizzie was acquitted (in other words, why was the evidence presented at her trial inconclusive?). Other questions might focus on her motives for allegedly killing her father and stepmother. Another topic might a psychological or historical study of parricide, or the killing of one's parents (which is, fortunately, very rare). Finally, a broader research question could focus on the way women accused of murder were handled by the criminal justice system at the time (or up until the current day). 

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