Erik Larson’s book Devil in the White City is full of magic and madness that has shaped the society of the late 19th century that is specific to in Chicago. The issues that have been handled through this time frame that are addressed in this book is that how Chicago was known to be the black city at first, and how the city hoped that hosting the World’s fair would increase their reputation. Secondly, the magic of a man named Daniel Burnham that did put the plans of the world fair in Chicago into life and the obstacles that he had overcame. Next, once the world fair was complete, it has made Chicago “The White city,” by its dazzling designs and attractions that made it memorable. Then, the madness of H.H. Holmes and how his evil deeds has seemed to undermine the world fair and the things that are going on within it with his murders and treachery that does grip Chicago once his evil deeds have been found out. Finally, the events that happened in the world fair that relate to the issues that occur in the late ninetieth century within the United States. The city of Chicago was in a desolate condition before it hosted the World Fair.
The city of Chicago was nicknamed “The Black City,” (P.11) before they had hosted the 1893 fair that had brought the city into life. Chicago was a city that was ridden with much crime and death to the point where young women could have been tempted to fall under the dangers of this city. Death was more commonplace then Chicago then other cities at that time because of murders that were so frequent in this city. The author does point out that “You can step from a curb and be killed by the Chicago Limited” (P.12). That fact even struck fear into the people who were visiting Chicago just to have fun or eve...
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...gic of Chicago, but also the darkening madness of H.H. Holmes. This analysis of the book covers the city of Chicago being “the Black City,” before it hosted the World’s fair. Secondly, the glorious magic of Daniel Burnham did make this fair possible who all of his men that he worked with. Next, the city of Chicago when the fair was going on was a grand sight that people around the world would remember in history. Also, the unfortunate sight of the crimes and evil intention of H.H. Holmes had committed, that does put a black eye upon the fair. Finally, The Fair and how it has related to the historical trends of nineteenth century America. The Devil in the White City is an important novel that does tell of a great historical fair and a crime that has happened within the city of Chicago, the events there during that time period would be an important part in history.
Chicago, one of the most popular cities in America. Visits from families all around the country, what makes this place so great? Is it the skyscrapers that protrude the sky? Or is it the weather people loved? Does Chicago being the second most favored city in America show that this town has some greatness? In the nonfiction novel The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson uses imagery, tone, and figurative language to portray the dreamlike qualities of Chicago and the beauty that lies within this city.
In just a few paragraphs Mattson provides concrete evidence for his overall argument by creating more specific arguments and by using evidence from sources from the 1920s. In the three short paragraphs found on pages 312 to 314 he proves that before consumerism took over, Harlem was a place of strong democratic debate by citizens. He illustrates how passionately people gathered to educate themselves on issues that would affect them. His readers realize that without this communication public space is just a place where strangers pass each other by. The democratic interactions created much needed unity among neighbors, but the story of Harlem presented in this text shows how consumer culture and corporate power eventually takes over making Harlem a “playground for a new urban consumer ethic” (292).
Pacyga, Dominic A. The Encyclopedia of Chicago, "South Side." Chicago: Chicago History Museum, The Newberry Library, and Northwestern University, 2005.
Dumenil, Lynn, ed. "New York City." The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Social History. N.p.: Oxford UP, 2012. Oxford Reference. Web. 8 Apr. 2013.
Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. New York: Random House, Inc., 2003. 388 Pages.
I did my book report on Dark City by Frank Lauria. The main characters in the book were John Murdoch, Mr. Hand, and Mr. Book. Since Murdoch woke up in the icy bathtub in a strange room, he has been suspicious of everything. He is wanted for a series of brutal murders which he can’t remember committing. He later finds out that he posses a power called tuning, which allows you to stop time and alter peoples perceptions. Sort of like brain manipulation. He soon finds out that he is being pursued by an alien race who call themselves the Strangers. They want him because he is immune to their brain manipulation, so he is a threat to their bizarre world order. John Murdoch is the protagonist in this book and he seeks to unravel the twisted puzzle of his past and identity. Mr. Hand is a smart character who also possesses the method of tuning. When he found out that Murdoch knew how to tune, Mr. Hand was injected with Murdoch’s memories so he could think like Murdoch, and defeat him. Mr. Hand is a Stranger himself, he takes orders from Mr. Book. Mr. Book is the antagonist in the book. He is the leader of the Underworld ruled by the Strangers. He is very wise and thinks up the procedures for taking over the city. He assigns each one of the strangers to a sector in the city. When he got news that a man named John Murdoch was immune to their tunning, he knew he has to think up something fast. Mr. Book can also tune. Same with the other Strangers.
The Chicago World Fair brought about through the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in America has posed significant value and worth to the city of Chicago. Over a six-month period, more than 26 million visitors from all over the world would flock to the fairgrounds to experience the rebuilt and vibrant city of Chicago. The 600-acre fairground would have housed 200 buildings that showcased new food, art, technology, and entertainment. Chicago became known as the White City, a place of freedom, grandeur, and security. But unbeknownst to fairgoers, there was a serial killer among them. While Dr. H.H. Holmes lured his innocent victims to his “Castle”, just blocks away architect Daniel Burnham built up the dream city of Chicago. Both these men operated at the same time in history, simply blocks apart, both creating legacies that carry to this day. Burnham and Holmes are two side of the coin of human nature. In “The Devil in White City” Erik Larson’s juxtaposition of Burnham and Holmes, and the Black City and the White City, contributes to the understanding of human nature, that one cannot be good without having done evil, and that good and evil are viewed as complementary in their mutual dependence.
From the years 1890-1895 Chicago faced the effects of good and the overshadowing effects of evil. Devil in the White City is a book that puts this concept into one and makes the reader feel as if they are experiencing theses events themselves. The two main paradoxical characters, Daniel Burnham and H.H. Holmes, are the epitome of good and evil. Throughout the book, Burnham tries to bring good to Chicago while Holmes takes the good and turns it into something more brutal than the reader could ever imagine. As the book proceeds the two forces grow stronger and stronger until eventually evil stands up and destroys everything that Burnham has tried to accomplish.
The book, The Devil in the White City, takes place during the late nineteenth century. During that time, the total picture of the late nineteenth - century America that emerges from The Devil in the White City is very different than now.
In the 1920s, Harlem, New York had reached a cultural peak; “it became the most famous and influential black American ghetto” (Weisbrot). With the migration of African Americans to the north, Harlem became heavily concentr...
The students concluded where these social problems began. In 1910, when the Chicago’s population was at such a drastic increase, between migrating citizens for work as well as immigrants, resulted in a huge number of homeless people. With the desire of the American Dream, individuals would do anything to be in Chicago.
Harlem is deeply associated with the vibrant life of African Americans for more than a century. When describing Harlem one must recognize its aesthetic beauty of life, culture and history. Harlem is the place where musician and bootleggers lived together, poet and pickpocket ate in the same dining room and preachers, physician all were aristocrats. Looking from a different perspective, Harlem is the paradigm of a deteriorated inner city neighborhood. From end of the civil war to World War I it has experienced a massive exodus of African Americans thus transforming the demographics to an all African Community. The quality of life began to degrade as due to racism, neglect and city’s role in shaping the housing stocks. In an effort
One’s past can be the main cause that drives one’s actions, either moral or immoral, and transforms themselves into an angel or a devil. In A Tale of Two Cities, a well-known novel written by Charles Dickens, good battles against evil in the form of the French Revolution and leaving the two countries, France and England, exposed of their heinous crimes. The mastermind behind the death of the Evremonde, the epitome of the French aristocracy, is none other than Madame Defarge, the most notorious villain of her time.
Zoning and restrictive were settled up because of the concern of individual interest by the white resident in Chicago. In terms of social welfare, Peter (1979) explains, there was a significant growth of the economy by the increasing population in slum migration, yet, also arise in the unemployment rate. Due to the insufficient and limited employment supply in the city, slum migrant increased the competition in the labour market. It is believed that segregation and racial covenant could ensure employment position of skilled industry and professional, protected working opportunity for the upper class. Meanwhile, according to David (2016), the white, especially for the upper class, during early 20th century has a hierarchy perception toward black race, considered black race was uncivilised, low-educated with an inferior cultural. Whitzman (2009, p.26) argues ‘as cities were ‘invaded’ by waves of immigration, neighbourhoods would… overtaken in popularity by newer communities on the periphery.’ Slum plays a successful role as a barrier to cultural exchange for the white. For example, the establishment of the black school and white school prevented white child to gain knowledge from black culture, in order to preserve a distinct white culture and language. A zoning for migrant in the slum has maintained the power for the rich and protected the original cultural of the
Erik Larson brings the murdering H. H. Holmes alive again with The Devil In The White City. He illustrates the harrowing story of the 1893 murders along. However, that is not all the books tells, it expresses the ignorance of consumers and sellers alike. People continued to go to the World’s Fair even though they knew about the murders and the World Fair continued despite the murders. It equivalates to people not thinking about consequences of buying materials and not thinking about how it got there or where it will go after. By using both informational and narrative writing styles, Larson expresses his beliefs effectively if not in a slightly muddled way. He is able to include the message subtly; as he does not have to explicitly say it in order for some people to understand it. This book is definitely a book for very analytical people and not just anyone.