The Murder of Helen Jewett by Patricia Cline Cohen In The Murder of Helen Jewett, Patricia Cohen uses one of the most banal murders of the 1800s to illustrate the sexiest living quarters of the society to the privileged, hypocritical and restrictive views towards sexual behavior and the exploitation of legal codes, the use of tabloid journalism and politics. Considering the fact that woman was created by taking a rib from man was more than just biblical knowledge, but was embedded in the male belief that woman's place is determined by man. Helen had the right upbringing as a servant, but how did she fall so far from grace? Judge Weston rightly takes credit for raising her with due severity and education. Was Helen seduced at an early age and introduced to sexual perversions more compelling than the Bible-belt life the Westons sought to live? Was Helen simply a woman who knew how to use what she had to get what she wanted? Through personal correspondence, legal documentation, census reports, paintings, and newspapers we are able to make our own decisions. Cohen provides more than enough background and story for anyone to express their opinion on how the murder of a woman could be turned into a sideshow at a circus. Helen Jewett, a prominent New York prostitute, was murdered and not only was this rare crime but heinous. Helen's murder brought the prostitution industry into the spotlight. This would include owners, managers and customers. In the Victorian era, in New York City, the roles of men and women within society were as different as night and day. A man, regardless of his extracurricular activities, could still maintain a very prevalent place in society. A woman's worth was not only based on her surname which distinguished her class and worth, but also her profession, if applicable. During this time in society the prostitution industry was an economic gold mine. The women run the brothel while the most illustrious men of the community own it and take care of its maintenance. Brothel managers are seen as nothing more than common home-wrecking whores. However, brothel owners are seen as successful businessmen. For example, John Livingston, brother of President Jackson, Secretary of State, owns the brothel 41 Thomas St. Men of great wealth and statue were frequent at... middle of paper......used. This was usual for Richard. As the young suitor climbed the steps, Helen greeted him by saying, Richard, I'm glad you were able to come. Helen retired to her room with her suitor and they remained there for some time. Helen emerged from her room at around 11pm asking for a bottle of wine and Mrs Townsend delivered the wine and struck up a short conversation as she noticed the young man. lying on bed reading. He knew Robinson very well and could say without a doubt that he was the one who was in the bedroom with Helen. Nobody saw him go out and nobody let him out. Ms. Townsend testified that a man knocked on her door asking to come out, but told him to call his wife to get the key. No one came back for the key, so there is no possible logical explanation of how Richard got out of the house, nor was there a logical possibility of how anyone else could have gotten into the house. There were also several eyewitnesses to the fact that Robinson had been the owner of the cloak and that the ax used in the murder resembled the one missing from Hoaxie's store..