Presentation Title
Bring me the Axe: Heat, Menstruation, and Violenced Analyzed in Angela Carter's "The Fall River Axe Murders"
Presentation Type
Paper
Abstract
Abstract:
Bring me the Axe: Heat, Menstruation, and Violence Analyzed in Angela Carter’s “The Fall River Axe Murders”
In August of 1892, Lizzie Borden allegedly took an ax and killed both her father and step-mother. There was almost no blood evidence other than small drop of blood on the back of her dress (Moriarty). The case of Lizzie Borden was drawn attention to thousands of amateur sleuths, academics, and feminists. Angela Carter’s short story, “The Fall River Axe Murders,” details the moments leading up to the brutal killings. Two aspects of that day are known for sure: the weather was hot and humid, and Lizzie Borden was menstruating. While it would be easy to look at this story through a feminist lens; the following discussion will focus using the theories of Eco criticism and Psychoanalysis. Carter, knowingly, as a writer, shows the connection between weather and menstruation and how it became the perfect storm for the events that were committed. Angela Carter’s details demonstrate that the story could be read using a variety of different literary criticisms; however, weather and menstruation play crucial roles in the short story. Carter’s piece will be analyzed in the following ways: violent acts are more likely to occur when the heat and humidity is high, weather as an integral personified antagonist which drives Lizzie Borden to kill, and the psycho analytical behavior of menstruating female.
Keywords
Menstruation, Eco-Criticism, Psycho analysis, murder, feminism, Moon
COinS
Bring me the Axe: Heat, Menstruation, and Violenced Analyzed in Angela Carter's "The Fall River Axe Murders"
Abstract:
Bring me the Axe: Heat, Menstruation, and Violence Analyzed in Angela Carter’s “The Fall River Axe Murders”
In August of 1892, Lizzie Borden allegedly took an ax and killed both her father and step-mother. There was almost no blood evidence other than small drop of blood on the back of her dress (Moriarty). The case of Lizzie Borden was drawn attention to thousands of amateur sleuths, academics, and feminists. Angela Carter’s short story, “The Fall River Axe Murders,” details the moments leading up to the brutal killings. Two aspects of that day are known for sure: the weather was hot and humid, and Lizzie Borden was menstruating. While it would be easy to look at this story through a feminist lens; the following discussion will focus using the theories of Eco criticism and Psychoanalysis. Carter, knowingly, as a writer, shows the connection between weather and menstruation and how it became the perfect storm for the events that were committed. Angela Carter’s details demonstrate that the story could be read using a variety of different literary criticisms; however, weather and menstruation play crucial roles in the short story. Carter’s piece will be analyzed in the following ways: violent acts are more likely to occur when the heat and humidity is high, weather as an integral personified antagonist which drives Lizzie Borden to kill, and the psycho analytical behavior of menstruating female.