6 Fascinating Details “Monster ”Left Out About the Real Lizzie Borden’s Life

**Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’: A Closer Look at the Ellipses of History**

Netflix’s latest entry in its anthology series, *Monster*, offers a fresh perspective on the infamous Lizzie Borden case in its fourth season titled *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story*. Premiering on September 17, the series stars Ella Beatty in the lead role as Borden, a woman accused of the grisly murders of her father and stepmother in late 19th-century Fall River, Massachusetts.

The narrative of Lizzie Borden has captivated audiences for generations, giving rise to numerous interpretations across various media, from nursery rhymes to dramatic retellings. The latest adaptation intertwines real-life events and characters with speculative elements, presenting a character study set against the backdrop of a sensational trial that led to Borden’s acquittal.

Although *Monster* integrates several authentic historical details related to Borden and her infamous trial, historians have noted that some intriguing aspects of her life and the social context have been omitted. Notably, the portrayal of Lizzie in the series seemingly focuses on her seclusion, overlooking her active involvement in the Fall River community.

In reality, Lizzie was not merely confined to her family estate tending to her home. She engaged in various charitable activities in her community, having volunteered for causes such as the local Fruit and Flower Mission and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, as well as serving in Sunday School for children of Chinese immigrants. This community involvement provided a different dimension to her character, reflecting a more socially integrated individual than what the series suggests.

Furthermore, *Monster* represents Lizzie as inexperienced in matters beyond her home, yet historical records reveal she was quite cultured. At the age of 30, Lizzie embarked on an expansive tour of Europe, accompanied by her cousins. This trip, which came courtesy of her father, contradicts the notion presented in the series that she lacked worldly experience.

The series also introduces a fictionalised plot point where Lizzie conspires to poison her parents with bad oysters, which ultimately fails, leading her to artfully abandon this method in favour of more brutal means. However, historical accounts note that while there was an incident of food poisoning that affected the household just days before the murders, the details are markedly different. Accounts suggest that swordfish and mutton broth led to the family’s illness, rather than spoiled oysters.

Furthermore, a particularly chilling episode concerning Lizzie’s alleged attempt to purchase poison the day before the murders is somewhat glossed over in the series. A local pharmacist claimed that Lizzie sought to acquire prussic acid for seemingly dubious reasons, a claim that adds an unsettling layer of intrigue to her character and the surrounding events, yet it remains largely unexplored in *Monster*.

The series touches upon the complex financial dynamics within the Borden family, portraying Andrew Borden as both wealthy and frugal. However, it does not capture the specific contention that arose when Andrew purchased a home for his wife despite the displeasure it instigated among his daughters. This property transaction reportedly resulted in lasting resentment for Lizzie and her sister, Emma. Such intricacies of familial relationships could have provided invaluable context to Lizzie’s motivations and circumstances.

Following her acquittal, Lizzie’s life did not follow the clean narrative arc suggested in the recent adaptation. In a turn of events reminiscent of her past, Lizzie faced accusations of shoplifting in 1897, a few years after being found not guilty. An incident involving missing porcelain items from a local jeweller led to a police investigation into her home, where, although she claimed to be innocent, the accusations highlighted a tumultuous post-trial existence.

Lastly, the series offers a somewhat fanciful conclusion to Lizzie’s life, neglecting to address the reality of her social isolation and declining health in later years. After undergoing gallbladder surgery in 1926, Lizzie became increasingly withdrawn, ultimately passing away at home in 1927 at the age of 66. Her burial in the same cemetery as her father, stepmother, and sister adds a poignant and haunting aspect to her story that echoes through history.

*Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story* brings the spectre of Lizzie Borden back to popular culture, but while it immerses viewers in suspense, it does so at the expense of the intricacies and the contradictory nature of her true story. As audiences engage with this latest retelling, a deeper appreciation of the historical Lizzie, who was more than just the sums of her accusations, can offer a richer understanding of the person behind the legend.