Jack the Writer: A Verbal & Visual Analysis of the Ripper Correspondence

This introductory chapter served to establish a contextual background useful in understanding the analysis of the Ripper letters. A variety of sources of these items was described. The quantitative significance of the Ripper letters was asserted. These missives were also found to be qualitatively important, as well. Several difficulties affecting research into the Ripper correspondence were documented. The methods used in this research were explained. A preview of the remainder of the eBook was provided.

This chapter asserted that some or all of the Ripper correspondence was in fact written by the killer(s). Handwriting analysis of some of the Ripper correspondence items documented the legitimacy of some of the Ripper letters. The Dutton microphotographs were introduced in an attempt to authenticate some of the letters. Expert opinions that some of the Ripper letters were genuine were also considered.

This chapter is the opposite of the previous one, which asserted that some of the Ripper letters were authentic. This chapter presented the alternative position that none of the Ripper correspondence was in fact authentic. The allegation that these items were hoaxes was documented. The claim that one or more journalists were responsible for the Ripper letters was explored in detail and the likely journalist suspects identified. The study by Inspector Moore of the October 14, 1896, alleged Ripper letter was considered.

The items of Ripper correspondence accepted as possibly being authentic in this study were presented in this and the next chapter. The authentic Ripper letters from 1888 were presented in this chapter. October, 1888 letters were introduced, as were those from November of the same year. Ripper letters from December, 1888 were also introduced.

This chapter introduced the possibly authentic Ripper correspondence items written in 1889 and afterwards. Most of these items were produced in 1889 and they were assessed in this chapter. Ripper letters from 1890 were also introduced. Post-1890 Ripper letters were similarly provided, as were undated items.

This chapter reported the categorization of the Ripper letter themes. The three most-frequently mentioned themes in the letters constituted the dominant themes category. Next in terms of frequency of occurrence were the five major themes. Less common were the fifteen meaningful themes. Least common of all were the minor themes; there were twenty-six ‘large’ minor themes and twenty-three ‘small’ minor theme, categories. This chapter also discussed the three dominant themes; 1) Future murders planned, 2) Police ridiculed, and 3) “Dear Boss.”

The five major themes quantified in the Ripper correspondence were reported in this chapter. They included; 1) Day/date/time of future murders, 2) Street address and town of future murders, 3) Writer’s address/location given, 4) References to number of committed and/or planned murders, and 5) The Ripper’s travel plans.

This chapter reported and exemplified the fifteen meaningful themes in the Ripper letters. They included; 1) Promise to send body parts, 2) The knife, 3) Killings called “work,” 4) Sir Charles Warren, 5) Threats vs. named individuals, 6) Accomplices, 7) “Catch me,” 8) Men and boys threatened, 9) Past murders mentioned, 10) “Ha ha,” 11) Prostitutes, 12) Other names for the Ripper, 13) Ripper wanted to be caught, 14) Letters to the press, and 15) Bloodhounds.

The minor categories of Ripper correspondence themes were further subdivided into large and small minor themes. The ‘large’ minor themes included; 1) Ripper could not finish the job, 2) Ripper’s inactivity explained, 3) Future mutilations predicted, 4) Murders explained, 5) References to press coverage, 6) Descriptions of the Ripper, 7) Americans, 8) “Ripping,” 9) “Funny little games,” 10) Other letters mentioned, 11) Response to people in the news, 12) Undiscovered bodies, 13) Request for publicity, 14) Certain murders denied, 15) Multiple events, 16) Blood, 17) Irrelevant items, 18) Torso slayings, 19) Ripper talks with the police, 20) Police threatened, 21) Different Ripper handwriting explained, 22) “Excuse writing,” 23) Can’t afford postage/paper, 24) Indoor murder and mutilation, 25) Cannibalism, and 26) Upper-class women as victims. The ’small’ minor themes included; 1) Ripper was a cop, 2) Ripper was caught or nearly caught, 3) Bodies thrown in Thames River, 4) Leather Apron, 5) Ripper holiday, 6) Embargo requests, 7) Ripper was paid, 8) Reward, 9) Victims named, 10) Christmas, 11) Jews, 12) George Lusk, 13) “Buckled,” 14) Police families threatened, 15) “Sorry,” 16) Future letters promised, 17) Ripper is invisible to police, 18) Ripper’s health, 19) “Ah ah,” 20) Paris/France, 21) “I’m not mad,” 22) Jack the MD, and 23) Queen Victoria.

The visual dimensions of the Ripper correspondence were reported in this chapter. The use of red ink in the letters was documented. Numerous artistic items were reported. Several bloody letters and envelopes were included. The use of unusual lettering was exemplified, Some Ripper letters took the form of verse. Several letters were discovered outdoors. A few letters were written on official forms and documents.

This concluding chapter recognized the intrinsic similarity between the likely-authentic Ripper letters and the items of doubtful legitimacy. The content themes were relatively consistent across both groups. The content themes, people, and language of the Ripper correspondence were described and quantified. A few overall generalizations were advanced as well.

The present study investigated the mass communication aspects of the Whitechapel crimes. The letters attributed to Jack the Ripper were gathered and analyzed, to determine the prevalent themes and rhetorical nature of this correspondence. It is concluded that the Ripper correspondence was characterized by certain content themes and stylistic traits. There was a clear element of class consciousness in the letters, as well as disrespect for the police and British establishment.