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‘Our Scapegoat’: An Exploration of Media Representations of Myra Hindley and Rosemary West

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The purpose of the article is to explore Girard’s (1986) concept of the scapegoat, from a feminist perspective, by applying it to media representations of Myra Hindley and Rosemary West. First, Girard’s theoretical approach to the concept of the scapegoat is outlined; secondly, the article describes some of the theoretical issues which surround female serial killers; this includes an analysis of media representations of women, especially if they are criminal; thirdly, the academic literature on media representations of Myra Hindley and Rosemary West is reviewed; fourthly, the work of Girard (1986) is applied to the media representations of Myra Hindley and Rosemary West; fifthly, Noddings (1989) is used to demonstrate how cultural associations between women and evil, the resulting hatred of female bodies and, by implication, their sexuality, underpin the scapegoating of Myra Hindley and Rosemary West. In conclusion, the article further reflects on the material discussed.

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