Re: Jack the ripper walk

Its probably bizarre to say I really enjoyed Thursdays walk around London, but I'm sure all those who came along understand what I mean. Our guide was probably one of the most engaging of her profession and managed to convey the history of Jack and his victims so well that any illusions of cheery Babs Windsor types roaming the streets of Victorian London were completely dispelled.

I didn't feel spooked, or creeped or horrified, just dreadfully sad. I don't have the language to descibe why, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I think what I am trying to say is I have a jumble of feelings that range from anger, about a society that could be so uncaring and so hypocritical to tearful, about a society etc, etc.

As too why we are so fascinated by the whole thing...well there are a number of things that might have conspired to maintain the fascination, just by dint of the ability to store the information.

1. the press had greater freedon, and although this was achieved in 1853 - 61, there was a wealth of new newspapers around, that all needed a good story. To see the amount of journalistic interviews try: http://www.casebook.org
   
2. Photography was becoming easier. Although it had been around since 1826, it was still a long and clumsy process. 1881 saw the production of 'easy to use cameras' (not the point and shoot sort though). This possibly ties in with the use of, and remaining records of the Ripper victims mortuary photos and the crime scene photo's.
3. There was an increasing interest in forensic detection. the use of fingerprinting was being researched, although it wasn't to come into use until later. But science in general was advancing along with the increased technology.
4. There was a great move towards social reform.

There are, I'm sure, lots of other factors, ghoulish interest being one of them, however the fact that a huge amount of the information survives is enough to keep the interest alive.

From a cultural studies point of view, I can see this as a crime that portrayed the male hegemony that existed (and arguably still does). These women were out 'peddling their wares' because they had no one to support them or the men couldn't support them. They were on the streets because they were women, (i'm not ignoring the male prostitutes by the way, but that poses different questions to do with Victorian morality and legislation).

Thinking of ideas for the talk, perhaps we could look into sex, gender and (im)morality in Victorian Britain, or do we want something more grimy.

See you soon

Polly