Elements, Sean Stebbins

The Demon of the Belfry

Introduction

The demon of the belfry. Uncover how the Penny Press sensationalized the 1895 Emmanuel Church Murders by Theofore Durrant, exposing Gilded Age obsessions with deviant sexuality, violence, and evolving sexual norms.

Abstract

The Penny Press' sensational coverage of the 1895 Emmanuel Church Murders (committed by San Francisco Medical zstudent Theofore Durrant) highlighted their obsession with deviant sexuality and gruesome violence. Contemporary newspapers continually cited Durrant's lack of romantic success, highlighted his peculiar medical background, speculated about his intimate relationship with his mother, and emphasized the maidenhood of his two young female victims - all while engaging in what scholar Karen Haltunnen terms the 'Pornography of Violence'. Scholars have not sufficiently studied how newspapers and other media during this time romanticized traditional sexual relationships while simultaneously fetishizing violence - especially if that violence was sexual in nature. This paper will argue that rapidly changing conceptions of sexual normativity during the Gilded Age - and the conflict between representatives on both sides of that fierce debate - manifested themselves in the implicity, and often these explicity sexualized coverage of Durrant.

Review

The proposed paper, "The Demon of the Belfry," offers a compelling premise for examining the intersection of media sensationalism, evolving sexual norms, and criminal reporting during the Gilded Age. Focusing on the 1895 Emmanuel Church Murders committed by Theodore Durrant, the abstract clearly establishes the study's intent to analyze how the Penny Press's coverage – characterized by its "Pornography of Violence" – reflected and shaped contemporary debates surrounding sexual normativity. The title itself is evocative and aligns well with the stated focus on sensationalism and moral panic, promising a timely and relevant contribution to studies of media history, gender, sexuality, and crime in the late 19th century. A significant strength of this project lies in its specific historical grounding and the rich primary source material it promises to engage with. By meticulously detailing the various angles pursued by contemporary newspapers – Durrant's lack of romantic success, medical background, relationship with his mother, and the maidenhood of his victims – the paper sets the stage for a nuanced textual analysis. The abstract effectively highlights the central argument that scholars have not sufficiently explored the dual media impulses of romanticizing traditional sexual relationships while simultaneously fetishizing sexual violence, particularly in the context of rapidly changing Gilded Age sexual norms. This specific intervention suggests a valuable contribution, moving beyond a simple identification of sensationalism to unpack its complex, often contradictory, ideological underpinnings through the lens of Karen Haltunnen's "Pornography of Violence." While the abstract presents a robust framework, a full paper would benefit from explicitly detailing the methodology employed for analyzing these contradictory impulses. For instance, how precisely will the "romanticization of traditional sexual relationships" be demonstrated in conjunction with the "fetishization of violence"? Exploring the specific mechanisms through which these seemingly opposing narratives coexisted and reinforced (or challenged) each other would strengthen the argument. Furthermore, considering the specific demographics and readership of the Penny Press during this period could add another layer of context to how these sexualized narratives were received and consumed. Overall, "The Demon of the Belfry" outlines a fascinating and important study, poised to shed significant light on the cultural anxieties and moral panics surrounding crime, gender, and sexuality in late 19th-century America.

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