The Devil In The White City
Devil in the White City, a monograph written by Erik Larson, detailing the lives of two men during the years of construction and preparation for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (alternately, The World’s Columbian Exposition)— Daniel Burnham, the lead architect of the fair; and Herman Mudgett (alias: H.H. Holmes, among others), a serial killer taking advantage of young women flocking to the city in search of the chance to lead their own lives.
That the darkest shadows exist directly under the brightest lights, both literally and figuratively, is an understood fact that is proven further by The Devil in the White City and its preoccupation with the contrast between dark and light. Flipping between Burnham’s tales of constructing the White City— a modern marvel, lit up by thousands of lightbulbs, unlike anything …show more content…
Both Burnham and Holmes worked to achieve the highest level of control over their specific fields of interest: in Burnham’s case, becoming the “tsar” of the Fair; while in Holmes’ own sphere of influence—specifically, the young women he ensnared into his trap—he ensured absolute control over them until it was too late for them to retaliate. Burnham’s pursuit of power led to truly miraculous things, such as the realization of Ferris’ wheel, which was originally vetoed by the committee for being too dangerous, and the fair itself, which was, at its barest form, Burnham’s dream— however, Burnham’s control was not total. Interference from the committees and various politicians and concerned parties led to outcomes both desirable and not, including budget cuts leading to striking workers, as well as extra hoops for Burnham to jump through in order to realize his vision. Holmes, on the other hand, was free to rule himself and his latest female acquisition with carefully calculated abandon, trusting in his ability to charm himself out of trouble if
That the darkest shadows exist directly under the brightest lights, both literally and figuratively, is an understood fact that is proven further by The Devil in the White City and its preoccupation with the contrast between dark and light. Flipping between Burnham’s tales of constructing the White City— a modern marvel, lit up by thousands of lightbulbs, unlike anything …show more content…
Both Burnham and Holmes worked to achieve the highest level of control over their specific fields of interest: in Burnham’s case, becoming the “tsar” of the Fair; while in Holmes’ own sphere of influence—specifically, the young women he ensnared into his trap—he ensured absolute control over them until it was too late for them to retaliate. Burnham’s pursuit of power led to truly miraculous things, such as the realization of Ferris’ wheel, which was originally vetoed by the committee for being too dangerous, and the fair itself, which was, at its barest form, Burnham’s dream— however, Burnham’s control was not total. Interference from the committees and various politicians and concerned parties led to outcomes both desirable and not, including budget cuts leading to striking workers, as well as extra hoops for Burnham to jump through in order to realize his vision. Holmes, on the other hand, was free to rule himself and his latest female acquisition with carefully calculated abandon, trusting in his ability to charm himself out of trouble if