Devil In The White City Questions

What surprised you most about the book?

What surprised me most about the book was the inefficiency of municipality government at the turn of the century. Not only was Patrick Eugene Joseph Prendergast not identified as a mentally-unstable individual, but Holmes was never caught for many of his crimes while he committed them. The book shows a ineffective Chicago government that could not cope with the explosion of urban sprawl and development in the late 1800’s. Streets were dirty, murderers thrived, and crimes were barely prosecuted. It is shocking because of how effective municipal government is today.

Could this many murders and/or disappearances have gone undetected in a different city?

Absolutely, though the city would have to be large. Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, it would take a major city to hide the crimes of Holmes. While Chicago was notorious for the inefficacy of its police department, Holmes was a very slick murderer. Many of his victims did not have families in the city, and so the police in any large city would be forced to communicate with victim’s families via the mail or telegraph. Holmes was a people person, and at the turn of the century good-speaking individuals could still gain a lot of trust. In short, Holmes could have managed to pull off his act as long as it was at the turn of the century, targeted the same victims, and in a large city.

Why is there such animosity among the architects?

There was a lot of animosity among the architects because they were competitors. Architects were all competing for larger deals, and new innovations. It is a fairly straightforward question, why is there animosity among students or among businessmen? Because only one can be the best, and only a few can be in the elite. Humans innately want the best, and in order to have the best you must be the best, and beat others in the process.

Why didn't anyone go to the police with their suspicions despite some people being convinced of his wrongdoing? -page 189

People did not believe in the efficiency and power of the police to evoke any change. The police, in Chicago, at the time were extremely unprepared. They had a high number of cases, and few forensic tools to investigate them. Most of the murder cases in Chicago, in fact the majority, were unsolved. So anyone bringing suspicions to the police was not helping murderers get caught, simply alerting murderers that someone knew of their actions.

How successful would the fair have been without Burnham at the helm?

The fair would have been unsuccessful if someone less dedicated than Burnham had been at the helm. Originally, Burnham wasn't the only person in charge, but through dedication and hard-work he was able to ensure that everything got completed. Despite obstacles from different commissions, funding, and the weather Burnham fought for the fair, and ensured it's success. Few men would be able to ensure the success of the fair, and Burnahm did.

What did Holmes look for in women and why?

Holmes looked for attractive women that he could easily dupe. He needed women that were unfamiliar with city life, and the dangers of unfamiliar men. The book often mentions how the women would not have let men touch them in ways that Holmes touched them if they were in their home towns, but in Chicago they assumed it was okay. The atmosphere of Chicago, combined with women who were out of their natural environment and unaccustomed to courting men in an urban setting ultimately led to Holmes' success.

Why do you think Erik Larson chose to write this book as two stories in tandem instead of two separate books? (difference between good and evil?)

Erik Larson chose to write this book in tandem, I think, because the contrast between the stories of Burnham and Holmes allows the reader to see more depth in each story. Burnham is a good person, who builds something beautiful, something magnificent: The Fair. Holmes is evil, despicable, and builds an empire of lies, deceit, and murder. The contrast of beauty of horror, exemplifies the beauty of the fair, and the hideousness behind Holmes' actions.

On page 62, Holmes suggests that "women as a class were so wonderfully vulnerable". To what extent, if any, does this hold true today?

Women are not nearly so vulnerable as they were in Holmes' day. At the turn of the century, urban environments were still developing, and were largely unknown to the majority of the population. Everyone, not just women, were unaccustomed to the evils of the city. Now, evils are publicized, and piped in to every home. Women, and men, are no longer vulnerable, because knowledge of evil has been made known to them.

How successful would the fair have been in New York, Washington or St. Louis?

The fair would have been successful in other large cities, but it would not have been as robust. At the turn of the century Chicago was growing, more than any other American city. What it lacked it art or culture, it made up for with cold-knuckled determination. Chicago was renowned for it's industry, its ingenuity, and its ability to make a profit. While other cities would have had the ability to produce a fair, would it have had the ferris wheel, the immaculate design, or the beautiful grounds? Things that made the fair famous would not have been present if another city had taken on the job. Without Burnham as inspiration, Ferris would never have thought of his wheel and Olmsted may never have been brought on board. The people of Chicago formed a powerful force that created a marvel, only seen once or twice in human history.

Why was it so important to have the fair in Chicago? Do you think anyone considered the negative impact it could have?

It was important to have the fair in Chicago to prove that Chicago could amass enough culture to be equal to New York. No one doubted the economic strength of Chicago, but many saw it a meat-packer without refinement. Citizens of Chicago, especially big business men, wanted to prove to the nation that Chicao was not only an economic powerhouse, but a cultural center as well. Chicago had just become the second-largest city in America, and it was time to prove that it deserved the position.

People absolutely considered the negative impact it could have, but the overwhelming outburst of support was too strong to be stopped by insignificant drawbacks. All great things have a dark side, and so did the fair. It allowed for more crime, and drew more victims into Holmes' mansion of horror.