The Science of Monsters

Ed Gein exists not only in the house full of skin and bone in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Leatherface, like Norman Bates, exhibits traits that can be traced back to Gein, who admitted to wearing his suit of skin, as well as masks he’d fashioned from women’s faces. According to an article in Psychology Today “Gein had supposedly hoped to transform into a woman, i.e., to become his mother.”⁵ This act naturally brings Norman Bates dressed in his mother’s clothes to mind, but the literal process of wearing another’s skin has become synonymous with the fictional monster, Leatherface. Leatherface and Bates also share a similarity in how they treat their victims. For instance, Bernice Worden was found hanging in Gein’s shed as though she were the remains of a deer and not a human. This cold indifference of a human, treating them as though they are nothing more than their physical body, is a trademark of Leatherface. He, too, treats his kills as though they are meat. He hangs them from meat hooks and even disturbingly places them in a freezer like we would hamburger patties.

There are a number of ways to classify serial murderers. Holmes and Holmes described several typologies in their work, including hedonistic killers, power-seekers, and more.⁶ Other typologies include organized versus disorganized murderers, and process killers versus product killers. Process killers are the serial murderers who enjoy the literal process of taking a life. They often torture and prolong the act of murder. The Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, apprehended in 2018, is a prime example, as he raped, bound, and strangled his victims. Lust killers like Ted Bundy could also be classified as “process-focused.” Ed Gein killed Bernice Worden with a rifle. There is no reason to believe he reveled in the process of murdering her. This “act-focused” type of killing was done in order to gain her body, which for him allowed the fantasy of “transforming into a woman.” Fellow Wisconsinite Jeffrey Dahmer, a cannibal and necrophiliac, is another example of a serial killer who did not kill for the act but for the after-effects. Like his cinematic father, Leatherface kills quickly. He does not prolong the act. Although, assuming in order to increase the brutality and suspense, Leatherface was given a chainsaw with which to stalk the dark trails of Texas.

There are a lot of psychological questions to ask about Ed Gein and Leatherface—like why would someone feel compelled to inhabit another’s skin? While product serial killers represent the extremely twisted side of this spectrum (collecting human parts!), there are millions of people who practice the science and art of taxidermy. To learn more, we interviewed Lexi Ames, a taxidermy enthusiast, artist, and former apprentice of specimens at Lawrence University:

Meg:“First, could you tell us about your background? What intrigued you about taxidermy and specimen collection?”

Lexi Ames: “I have a BA in Biology and Studio Art from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where I focused my studies and art on the history of medical illustration, the portrayal and role of women in science, and the nature of death and decomposition. I enjoy collecting antique taxidermy, bones, medical texts, and odd ephemera.

Collecting oddities and beautiful things has always been a big family to-do in my household, and none of us shy away from the grizzly or grim. I have very clear memories of my father pulling over to show me roadkill to explain that it would turn back to soil, or returning to a deer carcass every few weeks until just the bones remained so that we could bring the skull home (she’s still hanging in my childhood bathroom!). There was never anything malicious in our actions as a family, we were all simply curious of the natural world around us, and comfortable with exploring slightly deeper than most. Of course, I also loved being around living creatures, and had a happy parade of pets, from dogs and guinea pigs to rats and geckos. I loved being able to watch their movements and simultaneously understand what made them move and how they breathed or ate. In a way, I think it helped me develop a healthy appreciation of how beautiful and fragile life is, and a respectful curiosity of death.”

Tools used in taxidermy.

Kelly:“A skull in your bathroom? That’s cool! What is the collection process like? Are you in the woods scavenging? Do people let you know about potential pieces to collect?”