Lizzie Borden Society Forum

People who use poison do not generally start and then just stop. They continue to poison to get what they want, often after finding how easy it is to get away with it the first time. In Lizzie's case the Bordens stomachs' would show no sign of arsenic because the arsenic would have been vomited convulsively in a short time.

Poison has always been regarded as a woman's type of crime (Doctors like to use it as well- see for example Dr. Thomas Neal Cream who was killing in the same general period as Lizzie's era.) Women don't generally like to get blood on their hands when they kill. Lizzie is sighted by many as an example of a woman who did not mind getting blood on her hands (figuratively speaking) in order to turn herself into a self made orphan. I would bring this out hesitantly as I do not believe she actually took up the hatchet herself.

As far as the split with Emma, actors and theater people enjoyed a status just slighly above being regarded as depraved at the turn of the century. Except for a few aknowledged stars, these societal misfits were seen as drunkards, self indulgent, and sex crazed, if not outright sexual perverts. Could that be the reason the split came about?

Gary

I have to say that I can't imagine Lizzie poisoning Emma; I think her hit list was already finished. However, Kat, didn't Emma say she was afraid to remain any longer; in fact, she didn't want Lizbeth to know her address? (I'm pretty sure this is in Rebello--typing this in a wrist splint, so forgive the lack of particulars.) Whether Lizzie was murderously inclined or not in later years, it seems that Emma thought she was (or wanted others to think she was).

--Lyddie