Jack The Ripper -source based

Authors Avatar

Emily Carpenter 10Y

History Coursework: Jack The Ripper.

1.From Source A, in relation to the murder of Polly Nicholls, I know that it was unusual. In the space of a month two murders of this type have occurred and in the “East End Observer” they were described as ‘singular.’ During this time murders wouldn’t be uncommon so this must have been of an unusual nature. The victim was ‘the poorest of the poor’ so there is no financial motive. It took place the poorest part of London with narrow streets and a great amount of alcoholics. Murders wouldn’t have been uncommon so this makes me realise that it was the first serial killer of the time. It is also described as ‘the work of a demented being’ and ‘extraordinary violence’ was used. It was obviously not a spontaneous attack, as the severity of the attacks must have been planned for the murderer to have a lethal weapon. There does not seem to be a logical explanation, which explains why these attacks have taken place, the killer has taken time to kill the victim in a very ‘violent’ way. I don’t think this is the most reliable of sources because it is a newspaper article and is likely to be exaggerated to make money. As far as the actual murder of Polly Nicholls is concerned there are no facts explaining what happened or where the attack took place. The writer was not an eyewitness, which makes me believe that he/she did not know much about the murder.  

2.It is difficult to compare Sources A, B and C as they are all at different levels of reliability. Source C is evidently a very reliable piece of information, as a well-educated doctor who would have no reason to exaggerate or give notes that differ from the truth writes it. The doctor gives no opinion concerning the ability or reason of the murderer. He is simply concerned with the positioning and injuries inflicted on Elizabeth Stride.

“In the neck there was a long incision which commenced on the left side.”

This is proof that the doctor was definitely an eyewitness and has given a detailed report of what he saw. By the time of the attack on Elizabeth Stride, there had been a lot of publicity and controversy about the former attacks so everyone would have had their own beliefs and ideas regarding the matter. However Dr Blackwell’s report contains no traces of bias at all.

Join now!

 The coroner, regarding the death of Polly Nicholls, writes source B. His report contains his own comments and conclusions of the ability of the murderer using the evidence he presents; the doctor’s report does not. He has given a more biased report on who the murderer may be.

“It was done by one who knew where to find what he wanted,”

He does this to assist investigations and give an idea of the type of injuries. His conclusions back up his evidence, making his ideas more relevant. This is the coroner’s report so it has been written to assist the ...

This is a preview of the whole essay