Devil In The White City: Character Analysis

Even though more than 16,000 people are murdered in America a year, a majority of people go through their daily life without worrying about being murdered. ( “National Center for Health Statistic”). Like in real life, Erik Larson’s book about America’s first serial killer, Devil in the White City, contains many people who ignore the imminent danger that they may face. Similar to characters in Devil in the White City, President Lincoln had no idea what was going to happen that night at the Ford Theatre. During James Swanson’s book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, the events of the night are rehashed. Many people wonder if murderers like the ones in Devil in the White City and Manhunt are forged from their genetics or if they develop that way from their environment. Matt Ridley provides evidence for both perspectives in his book, Genome. The debate between nature versus nurture goes deeper than just murderers.Some people see one’s

While deciding the location of the World Fair, Chicago proved to be a strong candidate by bringing vigor into their campaign: “Nowhere was civic pride a more powerful force than in Chicago, where men spoke of the ‘Chicago Spirit’ as if it were a tangible force” (Larson 16). Chicago’s civic pride brought forth a positive atmosphere that allowed the World Fair to flourish. Unlike Burnham and the architects, Booth had to endure harsh environments that ultimately led to his demise: “‘After being hunted like a dog through swamp, woods, and last night being chased by gunboats till I was forced to return wet cold and starving, with every man’s hand against me, I am here in despair” (Swanson 250). Booth suffered through swamps, woods, and avoiding gunboats for six days straight, which made him become full of despair and started the fall to his defeat. Success all depends on a person’s