The plot of Devil in the White City is the events surrounding the World's Fair in Chicago. It tells the story of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the fair and Dr. H. Holmes, a doctor turned murder. Erik Larson must have some interest in the World's Fair to do all the research into the story of Burnham and Holmes. This subject is interesting because the World's Fair isn't a topic normally discussed in history. Really, a lot of people don't even know what the World's Fair was. Larson is able to show the readers the background behind the fair and how it affected America. The audience also experiences how difficult it was to build the fair and also the amazing inventions that came from it, like the Ferris Wheel. He also shows another story that was unknown to anyone for years. The story of Holmes is chilling and provides the reader with suspense. Devil in the White City is a thrilling read and was not only informative, but also had a unique style of writing.
Eric Larson is able to elicit emotion in this book mainly through the crimes committed by Holmes. Not only does the audience feel the emotions felt by his victims, but also the suspense leading up to their deaths. He also draws in shock from the gruesome acts Holmes committed, like burying three children alive. They also feel sympathy for his victims through their deaths and also allowing Holmes to trick them into giving him control of their assets. There is also emotion through Burnham's story. The audience feels sympathy and sadness when one of Burnham's best friends dies, leaving him with the task of taking on the whole fair on his own. Their is also amazement when the fair is finally finished and all the wonders it brought into the world, like Shredded Wheat and the Ferris Wheel.
Larson employ's logos mainly through his style of writing. He switches the story between Burnham and Holmes every other chapter. He begins by introducing the fair and then tells the early lives of Burnham and Holmes. He then tells the story of everything that led up to the fair, such as the finding the sight, working fast to build it, and also showing Holmes build his "fortress." He does this to give the reader two different perspectives of the event. The timeline remains the same, but the perspective on the event is always changing which allows the audience to truly experience the World's Fair through the eyes of both men.
Eric establishes ethos immediately by beginning with the end of Daniel Burnham. The way he begins the novel shows that Burnham is somewhat respected. He then shows the early life of Burnham and continues this idea of respect when Burnham is put in charge of designing and creating the great fair. He also shows the deviousness of Holmes. He shows his backstory and how, even at a young age, Holmes was skilled in deception and Larson also has small stories of architects who were hired to build Holmes' fortress. He immediately shows how Holmes will become the antagonist in the story.
