Help an old lady, pretty please

One of my adult children recommended this game, because I like books about survival. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I am obsessed. However, I finally decided I was ready to stop dicking around with my farm and try and beat the Elder. This was a terrible plan, and now all my stuff is over by the Elder and I cannot kill it. I am going to start rebuilding my armor etc so I can try again, and just avoid the area for now. However, what is the best way to beat this thing? I tend to just use axes and whack away at things - I'm not very good at the intricasies of dodging etc.