Final answer:
In the context likely referring to the infamous Borden murders, Abby Borden's body was found in the guest room upstairs, while Andrew Borden's body was found downstairs on the sofa in the Borden family home. Literature often uses such grim themes to explore societal and psychological issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
To know Ms. Borden's body was located, we need to consider the historical context of the question. This instance most likely refers to the infamous case of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892. Lizzie Borden's stepmother, Abby Borden, was found deceased upstairs in the guest room of the Borden family home. Meanwhile, her father, Andrew Borden, was discovered deceased on the sofa in the sitting room downstairs.
Various literary works draw inspiration from real-life crimes like the Borden case to provide commentary on societal issues. For instance, the detailed passages referring to the outcomes and ritual surrounding death illustrate the tension between societal expectations, personal emotions, and the law. Furthermore, they often depict the grim reality of domestic life and the role of women within it, as represented by characters like Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters in the play 'Trifles' by Susan Glaspell.
The chilling details given about the handling of the deceased, including the preservation of Madeline's body within her brother's mansion in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' also reflects on the era's sensibilities regarding death and the psychological impact these events can have.