Translate 
Abstract
This article explores the contrasting media legacies of Joseph Vacher, known as the “French Jack the Ripper,” and his London counterpart, Jack the Ripper. Both notorious for their gruesome murders, their public perceptions diverged due to differing cultural, geographic, and narrative factors. Vacher’s crimes in late 19th-century rural France involved shepherd boys and girls, characterized by brutality and sexual violence. Despite initial media attention following his arrest and trial, his story faded quickly, overshadowed by larger national events like the Dreyfus Affair. Vacher’s insistence on controlling his media image, coupled with his eventual capture, undermined his mystique as a criminal. In contrast, Jack the Ripper, operating in London’s urban Whitechapel district, remains an enduring figure in popular culture. His unsolved crimes, localized geography, and victims’ perceived moral ambiguity contributed to his mythologization. Over time, Jack became a symbol of mysterious, unpunished evil, fueling fictional and conspiratorial narratives. Vacher’s rural settings and association with an outdated archetype of the “wandering predator” limited his resonance in modern storytelling. While Jack inspired a global cultural industry, Vacher’s legacy persists primarily in academic circles and regional memories, reflecting the divergent ways society constructs and perpetuates narratives of crime.
Published Version
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
