Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:26 pm
This is my theory-- that Emma wanted to keep an eye and an ear on Lizzie so that family secrets did not leak out, in case Lizzie got careless and began to blab too much. Hence, the cohabitation, which of course was not grounded in any sort of fiscal need.
Of course, this theory is predicated on an assumption of Lizzie's guilt-- and Emma knowing things that she didn't want leaked out, that could damage (her) Emma's reputation-- or worse.
If we consider the "Oh Emma, you have given me away" statement at the time of the inquest (allegedly overheard and widely reported)-- Emma may have known that Lizzie was guilty even then. If so, she obstructed justice, pure and simple.
(Of course, there are those who believe Emma had a pretty good idea Lizzie was planning to commit murder and did nothing to stop her.)
Quite frankly, I think Emma was after preserving her own precious hide, that she would have been happy if Lizzie had had no friends to whom she might spill the beans. I believe Emma envisioned-- indeed, yearned for-- a largely cloistered existence for the two of them, with superficial social contacts.
After all, there's Alice Russell-- still very much alive and expressing her opinion that Lizzie did it. Among others.
Then, along comes Nance. I think Emma may well have been jealous of her. She was probably suspicious of her. On top of those, she may well have had a visceral dislike of her. Certainly, Lizzie's association with Nance was not going to enhance Lizzie's-- and, by residential association, Emma's-- reputation in F.R.
Emma's days of hovering over/protecting Lizzie came to an abrupt end.
Basically, Emma lost control of the situtation, so she left, probably hoping that Lizzie wouldn't spill too much to her newfound actor friends.
I think Emma lived in protracted anxiety of what Lizzie might some day reveal. I think Emma "willed" herself to outlive, just barely, Lizzie-- for that very reason.
Of course, this theory is predicated on an assumption of Lizzie's guilt-- and Emma knowing things that she didn't want leaked out, that could damage (her) Emma's reputation-- or worse.
If we consider the "Oh Emma, you have given me away" statement at the time of the inquest (allegedly overheard and widely reported)-- Emma may have known that Lizzie was guilty even then. If so, she obstructed justice, pure and simple.
(Of course, there are those who believe Emma had a pretty good idea Lizzie was planning to commit murder and did nothing to stop her.)
Quite frankly, I think Emma was after preserving her own precious hide, that she would have been happy if Lizzie had had no friends to whom she might spill the beans. I believe Emma envisioned-- indeed, yearned for-- a largely cloistered existence for the two of them, with superficial social contacts.
After all, there's Alice Russell-- still very much alive and expressing her opinion that Lizzie did it. Among others.
Then, along comes Nance. I think Emma may well have been jealous of her. She was probably suspicious of her. On top of those, she may well have had a visceral dislike of her. Certainly, Lizzie's association with Nance was not going to enhance Lizzie's-- and, by residential association, Emma's-- reputation in F.R.
Emma's days of hovering over/protecting Lizzie came to an abrupt end.
Basically, Emma lost control of the situtation, so she left, probably hoping that Lizzie wouldn't spill too much to her newfound actor friends.
I think Emma lived in protracted anxiety of what Lizzie might some day reveal. I think Emma "willed" herself to outlive, just barely, Lizzie-- for that very reason.