Lizzie Borden Series Sparks Debate on Historical Accuracy vs. Artistic License

The new Netflix series "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" opens with a stark depiction of the infamous nursery rhyme, showing a young Lizzie Borden wielding an axe against her stepmother and father. While the series is based on the true story of the real Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her parents in 1892, much of the narrative presented is fictionalized.

The show dramatizes events from Lizzie Borden's life, including her wealthy father's business, her older sister Emma, and their Irish housemaid Bridget Sullivan. However, details such as the number of axe wounds—the rhyme claims forty whacks for each parent, while historical accounts suggest Abby Borden received 18 strikes and Andrew Borden 10 or 11—are inaccurate. The series also explores a lesbian relationship between Lizzie and Bridget, a theory popularized by author Evan Hunter's 1984 novel "Lizzie," rather than a documented historical fact. Bridget Sullivan later married and lived in Montana.

The historical accuracy of "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" is a subject of debate. Some argue that adaptations of real people's lives should strive for accuracy out of respect for the individuals involved. They contend that presenting unsubstantiated rumors as fact can tarnish the memories of those who lived through the events.

Conversely, others maintain that the series is a work of entertainment and art, not a historical record. They suggest that the Lizzie Borden case itself is so shrouded in conflicting accounts and a lack of definitive evidence that there is no single, agreed-upon truth to adapt. This perspective holds that the show offers one interpretation of the events and the enduring mythology surrounding Lizzie Borden.

Proponents of this view point to the series' hyper-stylized and self-aware presentation as an indicator that it is not intended as a documentary. The creators aim to provide commentary on themes such as changing attitudes towards femininity, true crime, and the nature of myth-making around sensational cases. The unsolved nature of the Borden murders, attributed to a lack of modern forensics and contradictory testimonies at the time, contributes to the enduring fascination and the space for varied interpretations.

Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders in a highly publicized trial. The controversy surrounding the case and the conflicting narratives have fueled speculation for over a century, making it fertile ground for dramatic retelling, regardless of strict historical adherence.