From social butterfly to modern‐day Medea: Elizabeth Broderick's portrayal in the press

Abstract

This essay examines the press’ portrayal of Elizabeth Broderick and her trial for the November 5, 1989, murder of her ex‐husband and his wife. The central contention of this essay is that the press’ construction of Elizabeth Broderick's image can best be understood as a cautionary tale directed at men and women who might deviate from normative heterosexual gender roles. Specifically, it is suggested here that the press demonized her as a unique individual rather than casting her as acting in response to institutionalized patterns of power manifested in a hostile social environment. Additionally, by suggesting that she endangered her children, she was cast as committing a fundamental transgression against her gender, and hence of gender itself, thereby entering the domain of the inhuman. Going beyond the question of her guilt, I would content that the press de‐personalized Broderick. In this context, the analysis generates questions about the counter‐hegemonic narratives about justice as well as the completeness of legitimation and delegitimation processes. To the extent that Elizabeth Broderick's voice is heard, we are encouraged to interrogate a wider range of sites in the investigation of female monstrosity.