The Devil in the White City: A Book Review Essay Example

fair attendance in order to generate profits and settle debts. Unfortunately, the success of the building was later disrupted by the assassination of Henry Harrison, the Mayor of Chicago, leading to the closure of the fair (Erik Larson 2016).

While following the progress of Daniel Burnham, the reader simultaneously witnesses the unfolding of a second plot line. Dr. H.H. Holmes establishes a small pharmaceutical shop near the construction site in Chicago. Eventually, Dr. Holmes acquires the block-long structures on the opposite side of the street.

Using his expertise in architecture, the individual constructed a sinister building known as The World's Fair Hotel (Erik Larson 2016). The absence of windows in the rooms was deliberate, and he ingeniously installed gas lines in certain areas, allowing him to easily suffocate unsuspecting victims with a simple switch from his own opulent quarters. Furthermore, he discreetly incorporated a crematorium in the lower level and a concealed shaft to dispose of the remains. Additionally, the upper floor of the establishment featured surgical rooms. Dr.

Holmes is depicted as an attractive and persuasive young man who managed to captivate the hearts of multiple women. Additionally, children grew fond of Dr. Holmes and creditors were convinced by the valuable services he provided (Erik Larson 2016). He was responsible for the deaths of numerous young women who traveled alone to Chicago and sought accommodations at his hotel. Despite marrying multiple women and interacting with various children, they all mysteriously disappeared without anyone paying attention to these alarming occurrences. It wasn't until some individuals began to recognize the significant number of people who had gone missing after the fair that these terrifying traits came to light (Walsh

and Brian 2001). The story progresses as detective Frank Geyer focuses on the illicit activities of Dr.

Holmes is uncovered as the culprit behind several murders committed in Toronto and the Midwest. With his crimes exposed, Holmes flees Chicago and goes on a journey to various locations. Eventually, he is apprehended in Philadelphia for insurance fraud. The primary focus of the author is the construction and completion of the Chicago World Fair. Burnham and his team are tasked with completing the building process within a specific timeframe.

The author effectively uses Burnham as the protagonist to symbolize the righteous individuals in society, while Dr. Holmes embodies evil and psychopathy. Despite initially seeming unbelievable, Dr. Holmes' horrifying actions and his infamous murder castle were indeed based on real events.

This incident can be associated with both Jack the Ripper and Dahmer, who are notorious serial killers. The book captures the reader's attention with moments of grandeur and enchantment, featuring characters such as Susan B. Anthony, Buffalo Bill, Archduke Francis Thomas Edison, and others. It skillfully portrays the mysteries, romance, determination, and hard work of ancient times like never before. Despite numerous accidents and a declining economy, the city of Chicago saw a wave of travelers in 1893. The author also highlights illicit activities from history, including long-ignored cases of serial killings and houses specifically designed for murder.

The author's failure to incorporate dialogue into the book has resulted in a lack of suspense and interest for the reader. However, a careful examination of Erick Larson's works reveals that the book was extensively researched and successfully incorporated American history as well as a collection of true mysteries

and crimes. The involvement of government, non-governmental, and private sector partners, as well as relevant security agencies at the state, local, tribal, and territorial levels, extended their responsibilities to implement safety measures and provide information to protect the lives of the women and children who were brutally murdered (Arnold and White 1963). The central focus of the book is on the dichotomy between good and evil in the lives of an architect and a serial killer during Chicago's World Fair in 1893. The author skillfully juxtaposes the lives of these key characters through the use of flashbacks.

The author also introduces insightful remarks during or after an event, which engages the reader and helps them form a broader understanding of the event. In the beginning, the author sets a tone that predicts the numerous obstacles and deaths that will occur later in the novel. For example, the tragic death of Millet on the Titanic during the introduction, along with an analysis of Burnham's relationship with Millet, foreshadowed future events. A careful analysis of Erik Larson's work reveals that the author takes cues from literature. For instance, the book shares similarities with Harper Lee's

To Kill a Mockingbird

and S.E Hilton's

The Outsiders

(McAdams and Richard 2008).

By imitating the works of well-known authors, Larson is able to capture the entire cycle of historical events. Additionally, the utilization of contrasting characters allows the author to effectively portray the theme of good and evil (Jay and Gregory 2015, Straight et al 2014). The author explores the historical events that unfolded in Chicago and across the nation, introducing characters and activities that encourage readers to compare and ultimately draw significant conclusions. The central

themes include sanity versus insanity, as well as concepts like modernity and anonymity, ego versus cooperation, gender differences, and the distinction between American patriotism and civic pride.

The author effectively portrays the behaviors we encounter in our daily lives by using events and characters. One example is Dr. Holmes, whose actions are made truly terrifying through detailed descriptions of his slaughterhouse, deceitfulness, and persuasive abilities. Holmes profits by selling the remains of his victims to medical schools. The responsibility of the government to ensure security and protect the citizens of Chicago is clearly emphasized. The authors also draw parallels to other horrifying historical events, such as the Trail of Tears which saw Native Americans being forcibly relocated from their homeland to India.

The text discusses the negative consequences of an event, including the exposure of victims to diseases and death. The author also connects this event to the horrific aftermath of the Dred Scott decision in 1857, which promoted slavery and suffering. The author attempts to link these two significant situations that were left unresolved. These connections are portrayed through two plotlines in the literary presentation of the book, highlighting the contrast between good and evil. The main focus is on finding a positive bridge between the two, emphasizing dialogue as the solution to address the projected evil emphasized in the text's context.

This text demonstrates how the artist effectively uses various materials to convey the main themes in the book (Jay and Gregory 2015).



References

Arnold, Bruce and W. J. White. 1963. "The Devil You Know".

Books Abroad

37 (1): 82.

"Erik Larson". 2016.
The Devil In The White

City.
https://d3jc3ahdjad7x7.cloudfront.net/BDwgPngiFs9Q45UsRD5q9VEMGcUvC1XbLvlSJjA939JSxTpr.pdf.
Jay, Gregory. 2015.

"Queer Children And Representative Men: Harper Lee, Racial Liberalism, And The Dilemma Of To Kill A Mockingbird".
Am Lit Hist 27 (3): 487-522. doi:10.1093/alh/ajv023.

McAdams, Richard H, 2008. "Empathy And Masculinity In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird".
SSRN Electronic Journal.

The text is a citation for a research study titled "Suicide In Three East African Pastoralist Communities And The Role Of Researcher Outsiders For Positive Transformation: A Case Study" published in the journal Cult Med Psychiatry in 2014. The citation includes the DOI (doi:10.2139/ssrn.2646066) and provides the names of the authors (Straight, Bilinda; Pike, Ivy; Hilton, Charles; Oesterle, Matthias) as well as the volume and page numbers (39 (3): 557-578).

doi:10.1007/s11013-014-9417-4. Walsh, Brian. 2001. "The White Devil (Review)".
Theatre Journal 53 (3): 499-501. doi:10.1353/tj.2001.0092.