Reflective Response - "A Wasp's Look at Lizzie Border" - Florence King. A response paper describing the situation in the poem.

King, Florence. "A Wasp Looks at Lizzie Borden". Retellings: A Thematic Literature Anthology. Eds. Clarke, M.B. and A.G. Clarke. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2004. 246-253

Lizzie was acquitted of the murders, but King assumes she was guilty. What evidence does King offer? How convincing is it?

King's "A Wasp Looks at Lizzie Border" gives the reader a portrayal of the Borden murders that Angela Carter's "The Fall River Axe Murders" does not. King shows us a more modern and realistic look at the crimes while criticizing the "Cinderella Portrait" that Carter paints in her retelling.

Reading through this piece of work, King shows the reader her perspective on the Borden axe murders. What is interesting about her writings is her criticism and realistic approach to case. Beginning in the same locations as other writers, she starts he tale before the murders and shows us the events that led up to the dastardly event.

King [Haakon] and Queen [Maud] of Norway and [Crow...

Lizzie Borden Trial Jury, 1893

The Borden house, where the murders took place.

The evidence that she promotes however is neither physical, collectable, or was it ever a factor in the trials. Her evidence is pure logic, and a personal opinion based on the situation. Reading through other stories, the writer shows Lizzie as the stereotypical stepdaughter. Her real mother dead, evil step mom who mistreats her, her father loves her but is too much of a coward to stand up to his wife for her daughters benefit. King however shows us that Lizzie was a spoiled, middle-aged daughter who clung desperately to her father due to him being her source of income. This in turn gives new light to the minimal events, which are merely glanced upon in other stories, such as the robbery of her Father. Instead of the overly used "innocent until proven guilty" approach, King goes straight for the throat claiming that Lizzie performed the act...