Book Evaluation #2

9. The theme of The Devil in the White City was to state that motivation can be used for the good of mankind or evil.

Book Evaluation #2

8.The last book I read for A.P. Lang and Comp was On Writing by Stephen King. These books are completely different, where Stephen Kings tells about his past, experiences, and childhood. Followed by teachings about writing. The Devil in the White City brought a completely differentiated theme to the table. This book read like a fictional novel due to all of the elements. A story was told. Larson created scenes with the help of all of his research.

Book Evaluation #2

7. The two different stories provide for the incidents that occur throughout the book. The first in the story of Burnham and the struggles he overcomes while building the fair. Early on, Burnham is left alone as his partner John Root experienced death. Throughout the rest of the book, Burnham faces late-arriving building drafts, significant global economic decline, union strikes, and construction injuries and deaths.
The other part of the book focuses on the unfolding plot of H.H. Holmes as he enters Chicago in 1886 in search for a job as a pharmacist or doctor. He finds a building close to the future construction of the fair. The lot provides practice for the killings and disposal of the bodies. As the World Fair begun to announce itself, Holmes transformed his building into the World Fair's Hotel, attracting his victims. Another main incident that occurred would be the death of the mayor. As the fair was brought to a close, it also brought tragedy along. The mayor of Chicago, Carter Henry Harrison was assassinated. 

Book Evaluation #2

6. To me, the characters were the most important piece of the story, however, Larson did not do exceptionally well in that field. H.H. Holmes was a charming, handsome gentleman as was the architect. But, the characters are so alike in some ways and polar opposites in others. They are charming with blue eyes and skilled in their occupations, but Holmes is a murderer. The contrast between the two characters is especially important for the change of view from discussing the architect and villain.

Book Evaluation #2

5.  Larson sets the tone to be almost calm and nonchalant throughout the entire book.
"One morning in August... as heat rose from the streets... The air was stale and stiff, suffused with the scent of rotten peaches, horse excrement, and partially combusted Illinois anthracite... exhaling steam into the the already-yellow sky (p. 35)." This quote shows the calm scene but you feel that the mood is on a more gloomy side as H.H. Holmes enters the scene. "Hundreds of people had crowded the roof  walk of the Manufactures Building each day, but their only way down was by the elevator. Burnham imagined terrified men, women, and children trying to slide... then falling two hundred feet to the exhibit floor
(p. 304)." This quote exhibits a fearful scene. Children crying, humanity screaming, and all hell breaking loose if a fire broke out. "For Olmsted the rain was particularly disheartening... The wheels of heavily loaded wagons sank deep into the mud... adding to the list of wounds to be filled, smoothed, and sodded (p. 228)." Again, a dark, gloom filled scene has been brought upon the city.

Book Evaluation #2

4. Erik Larson would be classified as a historian. He brings forth detail in an extravagant bowl. The book describes the fair and construction of the fair so clearly and vividly. He is clearly interested in the city and the fair. Page 13 is chock full of imagery from the beginning all the way to the end as Larson details every little subject. The scene makes you feel like you are standing on the street outside the offices of the Chicago Tribune. By that, it is evident the he has done his fair share of research of what the streets of Chicago felt like in 1890.

Book Evaluation #2

3.  Larson, in my opinion, wrote this non-fiction book comparing the killer and architect for the purpose of informing the reader/audience on the process and detail of the world fair. The two main topics, being the World Columbian Exposition and the hotel, have virtually nothing in common besides the fact that the fair lured the victims into "The Castle". Alike, the architect and Holmes have nothing to link each other with."The thing that entranced me about Chicago in the Gilded Age was the city's willingness to take on the impossible in the name of civic honor, a concept so removed from the modern psyche that two wise readers of early drafts of this book wondered why Chicago was so avid to win the world's fair in the first place" (p. 393). Larson conveys his interest of the city."The exposition was Chicago's conscience... the city it wanted to become" (p. 210). This conveys his interest in informing also.