1. Despite his great wealth, Andrew Borden denies his daughters even commonplace luxuries like modern plumbing and lighting; he uses the threat of disinheritance to control them and keeps them from leaving home and marrying by denouncing all men as fortune hunters. Why do you think he does this? Is it fear of the poverty he experienced as a child returning, is it really about domination and power, or is he scared of being alone in his old age?
2. Lizzie secretly admits that she sees much of Abby in herself. Under different circumstances could they have been friends? How did their relationship change as Lizzie grew up and how did Emma’s hostility influence it?
3. Discuss Lizzie’s Grand Tour. Was the trip a wise decision or did it leave her hopelessly dissatisfied with her life in Fall River? Would Lizzie’s life have played out differently if she hadn’t gone to Europe and experienced an unattainable lifestyle? What do you think of the handsome young Englishman she met? Was the romance real or all in Lizzie’s mind? What do you think of her father’s reaction to the romance and her subsequent behavior regarding the letters?
4. Discuss Lizzie’s sexuality and various romances. Which ones were real mutual attractions and which ones were only wishful thinking on Lizzie’s part? Could any of them have led to lasting happiness? Was Andrew Borden right to discourage his daughter by repeatedly warning her against fortune hunters or was there more than a grain of truth in his cruelly worded warnings? When it comes to men, caution and fear always temper Lizzie’s desire, yet in her world passion between women is forbidden. Do you think Lizzie only wanted a real and lasting love regardless of gender?
5. Lizzie harbors an almost lifelong obsession with Lulie Stillwell. Why is Lizzie never able to forget her? What do you think of their schoolgirl friendship? What motivated it? Was there truly a lesbian element? Look at it from Lulie’s perspective. What did she feel for Lizzie?
6. Discuss the constant hostility simmering in the house on 92 Second Street—the anger, resentment, greed, control, petty crimes, and retaliations. Was there any way this family could ever have lived peacefully together? If you were a therapist and had the Bordens sitting in front of you what would you tell them?
7. Discuss the events leading up to the murders. What, if anything, could have prevented them? Was Lizzie unhinged by rage and panic and not responsible for her actions, was she driven to murder by others, or were her actions more calculated?
8. How do you feel about Andrew Borden’s attempt to continue controlling his daughters’ lives from beyond the grave through the terms of his will? Was this truly the ultimate betrayal Lizzie felt it was or just typical behavior of the man given his character?
9. Why do Bridget and Dr. Bowen each help Lizzie in their own way after the murders? What motivates them to take the risk?
10. When she is facing trial, Lizzie says, “Even though I knew I was guilty, I believed implicitly in my innocence.” What does she mean by this? What do you think of her attempts to justify herself?
11. Discuss Lizzie’s life after the trial. Does her inheritance bring her happiness? What do you think of the way she is treated by others? Do you feel sorry for her or did she get what she deserved?
12. Lizzie came very close to marrying her cousin Orrin Gardner. What do you think of their decision to end their relationship because of the public outcry over their engagement? Should they have stuck together and weathered the media circus or were they right to part?
13. Discuss the relationship between Lizzie and her sister, Emma, throughout their lives. How does it change after the trial? At one point Emma says to Lizzie, “More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones. God sometimes punishes those He only seems to favor by giving them exactly what they want.” What do you make of this? Why does Emma eventually leave Lizzie? Was she right to do so? Was her life after leaving Lizzie better or worse?
14. Lizzie Borden’s relationship with the flamboyant actress Nance O’Neil has always attracted a great deal of curiosity and controversy. What was the attraction? What did each hope to gain from the affair? Discuss the roles love, lust, fame, and greed played in the relationship.
15. Was Lizzie right to give up on love?