Lizzie Borden Took an Axe
By Anonymous
Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks,
And when she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.
Unpacking “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”: A Concise Summary
The poem “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” is a brief, four-line folk rhyme that dramatically recounts the infamous 1892 double murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts. The central figure, Lizzie Borden, was accused of these gruesome crimes but was ultimately acquitted. This concise poem does not aim to be a historical record but rather a memorable piece of folklore, distilling a shocking event into a simple, rhythmic verse. Its enduring popularity stems from its catchy, almost childlike rhythm, which creates a chilling contrast with its macabre subject matter. It has become a well known, often unsettling, element of popular culture, frequently recited as a dark nursery rhyme.
The core idea of “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” revolves around the presentation of extreme violence, specifically parricide and matricide, in an unnervingly straightforward and detached manner. The poem’s surprisingly light and rhythmic tone creates a stark juxtaposition with the horrific acts it describes, contributing significantly to its unsettling impact. It offers no explanation, motive, or justification for the violence, simply presenting it as a series of cold, undeniable actions. This lack of emotional context forces the reader to confront the raw brutality without the comfort of understanding or empathy, making the poem a powerful, if disturbing, piece of oral tradition.
A Deeper Look: Analyzing “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”
The enduring power of “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” lies in its stark simplicity and directness. The opening line immediately plunges the reader into the narrative, establishing the subject and the instrument of violence without preamble or foreshadowing.
Lizzie Borden took an axe
This blunt statement of action sets the stage for the horrific events that follow. The subsequent lines amplify the brutality through chilling repetition and the use of specific, quantifiable numbers.
And gave her mother forty whacks,
And when she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.
The sheer number of blows, “forty whacks” and “forty-one,” is shocking, creating a visceral image of relentless violence. The phrasing is remarkably detached, presenting these acts as matter-of-fact events rather than emotional outbursts. This detachment is a key element in the poem’s unsettling quality, making the violence seem almost routine.
A crucial aspect of this poem is its deliberate avoidance of any exploration of motive or emotion. There is no hint of why Lizzie might have committed such a terrible act, nor any indication of her feelings before, during, or after the event. The focus remains solely on the act of violence itself. This lack of context forces the reader to confront the raw brutality without the benefit of mitigating factors or psychological understanding. The use of numbers, “forty whacks” and “forty-one,” adds to this calculating quality, almost reducing the violence to a simple, cold count, further emphasizing the poem’s objective and chilling tone.
Examining the Poem’s Structure and Form
The poem is a quatrain, a four-line stanza, characterized by its simple and memorable structure. It follows an AABB rhyme scheme, where the first two lines rhyme with each other, and the last two lines rhyme with each other. For example, “axe” rhymes with “whacks,” and “done” rhymes with “one.” This consistent rhyme scheme contributes significantly to the poem’s catchy, almost sing-song quality, making it easy to remember and recite.
The line “And when she saw what she had done” functions as a pivotal moment, hinting at a potential pause for consequence or realization. However, the poem immediately returns to the violence with “She gave her father forty-one,” effectively negating any sense of remorse or regret. This swift return to brutality, following a moment that suggests reflection, further amplifies the poem’s disturbing impact and its portrayal of an unfeeling perpetrator. The seemingly predictable rhythm, created by the regular meter and rhyme, is deliberately shattered by the shocking content, creating a jarring and memorable effect.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”
Despite its brevity, “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” employs several literary and poetic devices that contribute to its lasting impact and unsettling charm.
Sound Devices
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within non-rhyming words creates a subtle musicality, making the rhyme more memorable. An example is the short “a” sound in “Lizzie Borden took an axe” and “And gave her mother forty whacks.” This repetition helps to bind the lines together rhythmically.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds, particularly at the end of words or stressed syllables, adds to the poem’s rhythmic quality and emphasizes certain actions. Notice the repeated “f” sound in “And gave her father forty-one,” which subtly reinforces the final act of violence.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely connected words is subtly present. The repeated “f” in “father forty-one” serves as an example, adding a slight emphasis and reinforcing the image of the final, decisive blow.
Imagery and Symbolism
- Imagery: The poem relies on stark, visceral imagery to create a powerful and lasting impression. The primary image is that of the “axe” and the “forty whacks” and “forty-one” blows. This direct and brutal imagery forces the reader to actively visualize the horrific acts, making the poem deeply disturbing despite its simple language. The image of the axe is particularly potent, evoking both a common tool and an instrument of extreme violence.
- Symbolism: The “axe” itself serves as a powerful symbol. It represents not only the immediate instrument of death but also the primal nature of violence and destruction. As a tool that can both build and break, its use here highlights the destructive potential within seemingly ordinary objects and, by extension, within individuals.
Figures of Speech
- Understatement: The poem’s simple, direct language and detached tone deliberately downplay the horrific nature of the events. This understatement forces readers to actively imagine the full extent of the violence, making it even more disturbing than an explicit, gory description might be. The casual counting of “forty whacks” and “forty-one” is a prime example of this chilling understatement.
- Irony: A key element of the poem’s unsettling power is its profound irony. The playful rhythm and simple rhyme scheme, often associated with children’s verses, create a stark contrast with the gruesome subject matter of parricide. This jarring juxtaposition of form and content is what makes the poem so memorable and disturbing, as the lighthearted delivery clashes with the dark reality it describes.
Analyzing Poetic Techniques: Diction, Tone, and Meter
Diction and Tone
The diction, or choice of words, in “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” is remarkably simple and direct. It is devoid of flowery language, complex vocabulary, or emotional embellishment. Words like “took,” “gave,” “saw,” and “done” are everyday terms, contributing to a stark and unsettling tone. The poem does not aim to evoke explicit horror or pity through its language; instead, it presents the events in a detached, almost clinical manner. This detachment is often more unsettling than explicit descriptions of gore, as it suggests a cold, unfeeling execution of violence. The poem does not judge the actions; it simply states them, leaving the moral implications entirely to the reader.
Rhyme Scheme and Meter
As previously discussed, the poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, where the end words of the first two lines rhyme, and the end words of the last two lines rhyme. This predictable pattern contributes to its memorability and folk song quality. The meter, the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, is largely regular, with each line containing approximately eight syllables, often falling into a loose common meter or ballad stanza rhythm. This regularity creates a sense of predictability and a steady, almost marching beat that lulls the reader into a false sense of security before delivering the shocking details of the crime. The rhythmic predictability, combined with the gruesome content, creates a powerful and unforgettable effect.
Key Lines for Discussion and Reflection
Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks,
And when she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.
These four lines encapsulate the poem’s shocking simplicity, disturbing imagery, and unsettling juxtaposition of form and content. They provide an excellent starting point for discussing the poem’s themes of violence and detachment, its literary devices, and its enduring appeal as a piece of folklore. Consider how the consistent rhyme and rhythm contribute to the poem’s memorability, despite its grim subject matter, and how the numerical precision of the “whacks” adds to its chilling, matter-of-fact tone.
The Enduring Legacy of “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”
“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” is a deceptively simple poem that packs a powerful punch. Its chilling imagery, unsettling rhythm, and ironic juxtaposition of a childlike form with gruesome content have cemented its place as a lasting piece of American folklore. By analyzing its literary and poetic devices, one can gain a deeper appreciation for its artistry and enduring appeal. This short verse stands as a testament to the power of poetry to both reflect and disturb, to tell stories that linger in the mind long after they are first heard, ensuring the legend of Lizzie Borden continues to fascinate and unnerve generations.