Death for Dishonor in Danville: An Examination of the 1880 Honor Killing of Mary Dejarnette.

详细信息   

• 作者：Pente ; Elizabeth Ruth.
• 学历：M.A.
• 年：2013
• 导师：Scott, Michelle,eadvisorMeringolo, Deniseecommittee memberKars, Marjoleineecommittee member
• 毕业院校：University of Maryland
• Department：Historical Studies
• ISBN：9781303116223
• CBH：1538470
• Country：USA
• 语种：English
• FileSize：2419387
• Pages：131

文摘

On July 10, 1880, Thomas Dejarnette shot his sister Mary Dejarnette in the brothel she was working in, known as the Blonde Hall, in Danville Virginia. Thomas declared that he had shot his sister with the intent of avenging his family&rsquo；s honor, which she had tainted by becoming a prostitute. During the eight days between the shooting and her death, newspapers reported that Mary made remarks wishing no punishment be given to her brother as he had &ldquo；done his duty&rdquo； and &ldquo；done what was right.&rdquo； Upon her death, Thomas faced multiple trials, which eventually resulted in his acquittal based on an insanity defense in 1881. Further, the New York Times reported that the verdict met with the approval of the community, as evidenced by applause in the courtroom following the acquittal announcement. This case raises many questions that relate to the history of prostitution, Southern culture, and honor killings. Through analysis of primary sources such as newspapers, census reports, court testimony, and medical investigations, I create a microhistory of the crime and argue that the nineteenth-century Southern culture of honor and society&rsquo；s oppression of women created circumstances that led to the honor killing of Mary Dejarnette and the subsequent acquittal of her brother. It is my contention that understanding the cultural beliefs that led to Mary&rsquo；s death and Thomas&rsquo； acquittal will raise awareness that honor killings are not strictly a foreign occurrence and have occurred in the historical record of the United States.