Truth
The question arises: what exactly is truth? The Actress inquires, "Did you do it?" Lizzie, however, remains silent, unable or unwilling to answer. Emma repeatedly asks, a daily refrain, "Did you—did you—did you?" Yet, Lizzie remains unresponsive. Throughout the play, more questions are posed than answered. The audience anticipates concrete evidence, and the play introduces the Defense attorney who interrogates the suspect and her maid. However, their credibility and authority are questionable since the events are narrated by Lizzie. By presenting the case through the accused's memory, there's no guarantee that what is shown is factual or merely a product of Lizzie's imagination.

Although the play is inspired by a true event, Pollock goes beyond historical facts to explore the mind and motivations of her central character. While the outcomes remain unchanged—Borden and his wife are deceased, and Lizzie is acquitted—Pollock prompts questions about the actual journey to those outcomes. She challenges the audience to reconsider their assumptions and conclusions about the truth and the reasons behind the events.

Sacredness of Life
"Is all life precious?" Lizzie questions Dr. Patrick. She isn't genuinely seeking his answer, as she quickly dismisses his affirmative reply. She cannot accept that the life of her stepmother, whom she derogatorily refers to as a "fat cow," holds value, so she continues to probe. She presents an ethical dilemma to the Doctor: if he could only save one of two individuals injured and dying from an accident, whom would he choose? Would he save the immoral person or the one striving to be good?

Lizzie's line of questioning leaves the Doctor uneasy, and similarly, it may unsettle the audience. It becomes evident that Lizzie is justifying her parents' murder to protect a lifestyle for herself and her sister. In Lizzie's perspective, murder becomes a logical and acceptable act. An analogy is drawn to puppies on the farm that must be put down because they aren't quite right, further justifying Lizzie's belief that undesirable elements must be removed to maintain normalcy (in this case, her personal freedom).

When Lizzie's pigeons are killed, it signifies a profound violation within Lizzie. The birds' deaths symbolize the fate awaiting her and her sister if they allow Borden and his wife to proceed with their plans. Lizzie cannot stand idly by. The puppy that is not quite right—a threat to normalcy—and is killed symbolizes those who are clearly unwell and must also be eliminated. This perspective helps the audience grasp Lizzie's mindset and, to some extent, comprehend her motives for violence.

Women's Roles
Lizzie's father encourages her to consider marrying Johnny MacLeod, a neighboring widower with three young children who is in search of a wife. With Lizzie already in her thirties, Mr. Borden worries she will never become independent. He believes marriage is the only solution for her and considers it the natural course of action.

Lizzie, however, is not interested and declares she won't be present when MacLeod visits. "He's looking for a housekeeper, and that won't be me," she tells her father. Her stepmother disagrees, seeing nothing wrong with such an arrangement. After all, she herself married Lizzie's father, took care of his two young children, and in return, received a comfortable home, meals, and companionship.

But Lizzie desires a different life. She cannot conform to the societal expectations placed on her. She tells her father, "You want me living according to the Farmer's Almanac, hosting everyone for Christmas dinner, waiting up for my husband, and serving at socials." This lifestyle does not appeal to Lizzie.

In another conversation, Lizzie confides in the Actress, explaining that it's...