The Lizzie Borden Society archive

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1. "The Mind of Lizze"
Posted by daezey on Mar-14th-02 at 4:08 PM

Hey Everyone,
  I'm doing an essay on the play "Blood Relations" by Sharon Pollock and I need a little information about the mind of Lizzie Borden. Like what she was like as a person, how her mind worked, those types of things. So if anyone has any links to websites or anything that might be useful to me, please write me. daezey22@yahoo.com
Thanks!

Honey, if we knew all that, there wouldn't be a mystery!

Good luck with your homework!

Bob's right--but we can guess a little.
Would it be *cheating* if you went to the web-site and read her "Personology Profile" ?
It's in a section of "Laughter Up The Stairs"

http://wwwlizzieandrewborden.com

But remember, we're not all born, nor live in a vacuum--her relationships with others would bring out her better and worst qualities.
By studying those close to her and her reactions to them, you might get a better sense of the real person.  Good Luck, as well.
Let us know how you do..like if you get *stuck* on a certain point...

Daezy,

  There is a lot "out there" on this subject.The following would be a good starting place:

"Women Who Kill," by Ann Jones, pages 13, 196, 209-237.

Also: Dr. Gabriela Schalow Adler's very fine piece:
        http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/women/adler/default.html

Dr. Adler is the publisher of the Lizzie Borden Quarterly, an excellent journal for information on this subject.
Bill

These are excellent suggestions!  I wonder if anyone is aware of other psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. who have tried to 'armchair analyze' Lizzie based upon what we know of her behaviors, comments, actions, etc.  The frustrating thing is that, as with all historical figures, time, myth have probably so obscured Lizzie's real nature that it is almost anyone's guess as to how she talked, walked, the personal 'vibe' she gave off.  Still, I'd be fascinated to know whether any contemporary thinkers have attempted to delve the labyrinthe of Lizzie.