S1 E3: Polly Walks Out

10/08/21 • 35 min

Polly Nichols had a husband, a young family and lived in a brand new home built by a philanthropic millionaire. Then she walked out on it all. Why?

Surviving without a husband was almost impossible for a lone women, so Polly began a slow spiral into desperate poverty that would eventually put her in the path of her killer, Jack the Ripper.

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10/08/21 • 35 min

6 Listeners

Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper - S1 E3: Polly Walks Out

Transcript Summary

In this gripping episode titled "Polly Walks Out," we delve into the heartbreaking story of Polly Nichols, a woman being closely observed by an unknown figure. Living in impoverished conditions, Polly's life takes a tragic turn when her mother and youngest brother succumb to tuberculosis, leaving her burdened with responsibility. After marrying William Nichols and moving to better lodgings, their relationship faces strain, possibly due to an affair. Unfathomably, Polly decides to defy societal norms and walks out on her family, a rare act for women in that era. However, her bravery comes at a great cost, as she faces financial, social, and emotional repercussions. Divorce proves challenging and expensive in Victorian society, especially for women, amplifying Polly's struggle. Forced into the degrading and oppressive workhouse, where she endures mistreatment and humiliation, Polly desperately seeks maintenance payments from her ex-husband. Private detectives, hired to undermine her claims, closely monitor her every move. Homeless and destitute, she ventures through temporary lodgings, sleeping rough, and even briefly working as a domestic servant before walking out once again. As fate would have it, Polly's ill-fated journey brings her to Whitechapel, where she tragically becomes one of Jack the Ripper's victims. This captivating episode unravels the gripping tale of a courageous woman battling against the oppressive forces of her time, highlighting the sacrifices she made and the devastating consequences she faced.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:15.316

Pushkin. Some one is watching Polly Nichols. He's skilled at keeping his distance and at remaining just out of sight.

Speaker 100:00:40.636

He follows her dog darkening streets. He knows which shops or pubs she enters. He knows what work she does, and when she leaves to return to her lodgings. He knows where she lives, and most importantly, he knows who she's been living with. He inquires about her in the neighborh

S1 E3: Polly Walks Out Top Questions Answered

How were women without a family or husband viewed in Victorian England?

Women without a family or husband were viewed with suspicion and considered sexually immoral.

What were the consequences faced by Polly for leaving her family?

Polly faced financial, social, and emotional consequences for leaving her family.

How was divorce in Victorian England?

Divorce in Victorian England was difficult, costly, and gendered, favoring men.

How did working-class people divorce in Victorian England?

Working-class people often divorced unofficially and faced social judgment.

Where did Polly seek assistance for her maintenance payments?

Polly had to go to the workhouse to secure maintenance payments from her ex-husband, William.

What were the conditions like in the workhouse?

The workhouse was a feared institution with harsh conditions and humiliation for inmates.

How did William terminate his payments to Polly?

Private investigators were hired to gather evidence for divorce cases, and William terminated his payments after obtaining evidence of Polly with another man.

What happened to Polly after she left her family?

Polly lived a precarious life, alternating between the workhouse, temporary lodging houses, and the streets.

Where did Polly end up before being murdered?

Polly ended up in Whitechapel, Jack the Ripper's hunting ground, where she was murdered six weeks later.

What is the focus of the podcast episode "Bad Women: The Ripper Retold"?

The episode focuses on the life of Polly Nichols, one of Jack the Ripper's victims.

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