Bertha Boronda's Betrayal
This soliloquy reflects on the story of Bertha Boronda who was arrested for cutting off her husband's penis with a razor in 1907. It questions what led her to commit such an act and reminds us not to judge others lest we be judged ourselves.
Jan. 04, 2023 11:22AM
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A black-and-white photo of Bertha Boronda's mugshot from 1907 with the words "Bertha Boronda's Betrayal" written across it in bold font.
Ah, wretched Bertha! What misdeeds have you done? To take a razor to your husband’s manhood, and make him run? What led you to such a horrid crime, what drove you to this end? Was it love that had gone wrong, or was it something more sinister within? Your face now frozen in time in the mugshot of 1907. The eyes so cold and empty; the hair so tightly drawn. What stories could those eyes tell us if they could only speak? Of a life filled with pain and sorrow, too much for one heart to seek. For no one can truly understand what lurks inside another’s soul. And yet here we are today still judging her like an ancient scroll. Oh Bertha! How did it come to this? What made you act so cruel? Did your husband do something awful that made your heart turn into fuel? We may never know the truth behind why she committed such a sin. But let us remember not to judge others lest we be judged again.