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1. Was the ending of the book satisfactory for you?
- I enjoyed it due to Geyer exposing Holmes, it was nice to have justice delivered.
2. What character developed the most?
- I think that none of the characters were around long enough to develop, but Geyer quickly grew in significance by finding evidence of Holmes victims all by himself.
3. With the split in the subjects of the story going from Holmes to Burnham, who is Larson' s directed audience?
- I believe the audience was for people interested in history and above the age of a preteen, due to the language being not difficult.
4. Would you recommend this book? Why?
- I would not, it was a interesting book at times but the writing itself was not captivating. It went into way too much detail about architecture, and glazed over Holmes victims.
5. What did you gain from this book? Is there a moral?
- From the book I now know how tragic our history was in the cities. If there is a moral I think it would be, "all humans have obstacles and we all can over come them, for better or for worse"

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Rhetoric Revealer

“Detective Frank Geyer was a big man with a pleasant, earnest face, a large walrus mustache, and a new gravity in his gaze and demeanor. He was one of Philadelphia’s top detectives and had been a member of the force for twenty years, during which time he had investigated some two hundred killings.” pg.339

The passage presents Detective Geyer as a reliable source by describing his features and qualifying him as an honorable detective. This helps to establish “ethos” by giving readers key traits that he possesses as well as the qualifications he has from working in the field for a long amount if time. This also gives the reader a sense of confidence in Geyer for his ability to catch Holmes and expose his wrong doings.

“ “Holmes said that Howard was a very bad boy,” Ackelow recalled, “and that he was trying to place him in an institution, or bind him out to some farmer, as he wanted to get rid of the responsibility of looking after him.” ” pg. 348

The passage is actual evidence used in the case that Geyer was investigating on Holmes, allowing the reader to witness real, logical evidence from the case. This highlights logos into the section by giving the readers a chance to analyze a real encounter a women had with Holmes during the time, giving insight on how Holmes really is and is portrayed throughout the novel.

“ “He is a prodigy of wickedness, a human demon, a being so unthinkable that no novelist would dare to invent such a character. The story, too, tends to illustrate the end of the century.” ” pg.370

The passage is explaining the malice that lives inside if Holmes and how truly evil he really was. This chilling passage makes the reader think about the inner thoughts and actions that Holmes committed throughout the late 1800s, applying to the emotions of the reader. By applying pathos before the end of the novel the reader is left with a bone-chilling ending that will stick to their minds. The strategy is brilliant in regards to leaving one last message of Holmes as his case came to an end, as well as the novel (before the epilogue).

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Hannah Teague

Style Scavenger

“He possessed them all and reveled in his possession.” (Page 350)

Larson uses a hyperbole to demonstrate just how crazy Holmes is. He believes that the people that he kills are his and he finds pleasure in that.

“The guard sent to intercept the morning papers found Holmes sitting at his table reading the news as calmly as if reading about the weather.” (Page 360)

Larson uses a simile to show how unaffected Holmes is by his murder victims body being found. He makes reading about Howard being found seem casual to Holmes, almost as if murdering people is no big deal to him.

“He is a prodigy of wickedness, a human demon, a being so unthinkable that no novelist would dare to invent such a character.” (Page 370)

Larson uses a periodic sentence in order to show just how evil Holmes is. He uses words with a harsh connotation leading up to his final thought to show that no normal person could ever fathom the things that Holmes has done.

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Frank Geyer, a detective from Philadelphia, is introduced to the plot. His assignment is H.H. Holmes. Holmes is in custody in Philadelphia for faking the death of Pietzel and claiming $10,000 from his insurance. Geyer believes that Holmes actually did kill Pietzel and he’s in search of Pietzel’s three children. Holmes frequently uses letters to keep creditors and suspicious family members of his victims at bay and leaves Geyer with a trail to follow in the pursuit of truth. Geyer is able to discover that Holmes had been moving place to place with three separate parties, all unaware of the others involvement. Holmes was traveling with his fiancee of the time, Georgiana Yoke, the three children, as well as Carrie Pietzel with her other two children. Holmes adapts to prison life and starts writing a diary of sorts to account the life he’s lived. He also follows the activity of Geyer in his quest for the missing children. This only excites Holmes and shows his sick joy in the game of cat and mouse being played. Geyer finds the remains of 2 out of the 3 missing children in Toronto and gathers valid evidence that Holmes is the killer. Holmes continues to seduce and manipulate people to do his bidding and believe his lies. Holmes’s former Worlds’ Fair hotel in put under investigation by the Chicago police. They find reliable evidence that Holmes had murdered several women but the hotel burned to the ground one night and destroyed whatever else they might have discovered. Geyer travels to Indianapolis and finally finds the remains of the third child and witness accounts and proof that Holmes is in fact the killer. Holmes published his book. The end of the book accounts the impact and inspirations drawn of the fair and the positive influence it had on Chicago and the country. Holmes is convicted of murder and sentenced to the maximum sentence of death. It’s still unknown the total number of people he killed.

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1. What was Prendergast’s motive to turn himself in to the police after shooting the mayor?
2. What is the significance of the line “the fair had begun with death, and now it had ended with death”?
3. What comparisons can be drawn between Holmes’ ‘castle’ and the fair?
4. Why does the author choose to include 2 more parts of the book after the fair has ended?
5. What is ironic about the fact that Holmes was arrested for insurance fraud?
6. What does the addition of quotes and excerpts from letters contribute to the story?
7. What can be told about Holmes’ character from the excerpts of his memoir, specifically the lies he tells about the missing children?
8. What does the title “The Devil in the White City” suggest about the book?
9. When Holmes is facing trial for his murders, why does he stop lying about his innocence and confess to his crimes?
10. Does Burnham seem to die content or unhappy?

Answers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OP6igFPhxOy553T2HugMkECx441D2QQm8vsxUchXgk8

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"Riders on the Ferris Wheel got the clearest, most horrific view of what happened next. 'Never,' the Fire Department reported, 'was so terrible a tragedy witness by sick a sea of agonized faces.'" (302)

The author uses this types of syntax to end his sentences in such a way that causes suspense for the reader and an almost type of cliffhanger that causes the reader to continue reading to see what actions take place next.

""The ballroom burst with color and energy: Japanese in red silk, Bedouins in red in black, Romanians in red, blue, and yellow. Women who ordinarily would have come wearing almost nothing -- like Aheze, and Amazon, and Zahtoobe, a Dahoman-- were given short skirts constructed of small American flags." (313-14)
(333), (390)

The author uses imagery throughout the story to paint the picture of what the fair was like and to transport the reader back into the era to experience it for themselves and to allow themselves to envision they are there.

"The White City had drawn men and protected them; the Black City now welcomed them back, on the eve of winter, with filth, starvation, and violence." (323)
(370)

These uses of diction, all very negative, allow the author to portray the World Fair as one of the most magnificent things that has happened to Chicago and to compare it to the cruel place that was the city itself.

"Later Chamberlin would claim to be the first man in Chicago to suspect Homles of being a criminal." (324)

The authors uses of irony here shows the reader the irony in the whole situation of Homles finally being caught. While many may have thought he would finally be caught for his countless murders that he will be remembered for, he is actually suspected of credit fraud first before the murders.

"'I am convinced that since my imprisonment I have changed woefully and gruesomely from what I was formerly in feature and figure . . . My head and face are gradually assuming an elongated shape. I believe fully that I am growing to resemble the devil-- that the similitude is almost completed.'" (385)

The author puts this part of Homles' memoir near the end of the story to finally tie loose ends in the book and to help conclude the story. It also ties back to his title, as he finally portrays Homles (the devil) in Chicago (the White City) and allows the audience to finally understand the title of the book itself.

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After the recent death of H. H. Homes's last wife, he peruses Georgina Yolk, and with the help of the fair convinced her to marry him. The Chicago fair continues to have lots of visitors, but not enough to make it profitable, so Burnham continues to pressure the railroads to lower prices and plan new events to bring in more people. A midway ball is had and it leads more visitors to the fair every day. A day called Chicago Day is dedicated and this spikes the visitors of the fair and bring them out of debt. As the fair comes out of debt, Holmes become more in debt. In an attempt to make money he sets the top of his building on fire, sparking an investigation of all the debt he owes to many people. The investigation worries Holmes he will be discovered and takes off to Texas with Georgina Yolk. Back in Chicago Perndergast is still convinced he should have a public office, upon learning that he will not be appointed one, he shoots and kills mayor Harrison. At this point detective Frank Geyer is introduced to the plot, taking the case of H. H. Holmes. Holmes is in Philadelphia custody for fraud of faking the death of Pitzel. Geyer suspects that Holmes has done much worse than simple fraud. Holmes used letters to keep family members of the tracks of his murders, but leaves Geyer a trail to follow.  Holmes adapts to prison life and begins writing a diary detailing his life while following the investigations of Geyer. Geyer travels to Toronto and finds the remains of 2 or the missing Pitzel children in the cellar of a house Holmes stayed in. Holmes World Fair Hotel is put under investigation and mysteriously burns to the ground one night, burning all evidence of the murders. Geyer then travels to Indianapolis and find the remains of the third child and a witness that can testify that Holmes in the killer. Holmes is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The World Fair comes to a close and the country reflects on its positive effect.

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At the end of many paragraphs, especially the ones involving Holmes, Erik Larson uses short sentences that make a  statement. This helps the author to imply feelings of suspense in the reader and keep them wanting to know what happens next. For example Larson describes the scene where Holmes takes Anna to the chamber by using elaborate descriptions. He then ends the paragraph with “Holmes followed quickly.” This pattern of keeping brief sentences at the end creates feeling of suspense. In the next paragraph, this same style helps to show the difference in perspectives. It shows the panic Anna feels when she realizes she is trapped and then the ending sentence “the air grew stale.” shows how calm Holmes was and his anticipation.

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Grey found Holmes to be smooth and glib, a social chameleon. "Holmes is greatly given to lying with a sort of florid ornamentation ," Geyer wrote, "and all of his stories are decorated with flamboyant draperies, intended by him to strengthen the plausibility of his statements, In talking, he has the appearance of candor, becomes pathetic at times when pathos will serve him best, uttering his words with a quaver in his voice, often accompanied by a moistened eye, then turning quickly with a determined and forceful method of speech, as if indignation or resolution had sprung out of tender memories that had touched his heart."
Geyer uses linked dependent clauses to expand his characterization of Holmes. He writes the contrasts between Holmes in each mood swing to create a wary tone. Geyer suspects Holmes, but has no proof. The mode of speech is appropriate and fits his message.

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im so sorry guys i tried my best https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-5ZDKsJqJwJskg8LXZp8Rrdm1ZBrAE2tESgk8N0Vo6c/edit?usp=sharing

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Storm and Fire begins with a windy storm threatening to rip the Ferris Wheel off of its’ hinges, and a great deal of damage is done around the fair. The Cold Storage building goes up in flames, and Burnham is not made aware of it, foreshadowing for later ominous events. The Machinery Building goes up in flames shortly after, and kills many firemen in a tragedy witnessed by the visitors of the fair and especially the riders of the Wheel. Burnham is arrested for lack of safety.

Love: Holmes finds a new wife, and takes her to the fair.

Freaks: Drastic cuts are made to the fair’s expenses by some omnipotent committee that has been set in place. Burnham and others worry that this will destroy the profitability of the fair.

Prendergast: The crazy Irishman finally loses his ish, gets a revolver, and shoots Harrison, the man he so loyally beloved, dead in his own home. Security for local officials certainly needs to be upped.

Toward Triumph: Thanks to Prendergast, Chicago day is ruined. Burnham does not get the recognition he deserves, and instead, the ceremonies are all directed towards the mourning of the dead mayor.

After this, Holmes is taken into custody for insurance fraud and a bunch of other financial swindlings when the police figure out that he’s a madman, and this great detective goes across the country trying to find the missing children of Holmes’s former associate, Pitezel. Holmes tries to write a memoir from prison claiming his innocence. When the detective finds the children, they are long dead.

Burnham goes on to do amazing things, and Olmstead finally finishes the Biltmore house but gradually goes into significant mental decline. He progresses further into dementia and crippling old age.

Holmes’s castle is discovered and is executed, thank God, on May the 7th, 1896.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ar8fVlC2PXQxVF_vLLGnaYEc-mxaqdtdXswnrEbb12M/edit?usp=sharing

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6.  How would you have written this story, or is Larson's interpretation good enough?
7. In our society should we still be wary of another Holmes incident?
8. What was your reaction to Holmes manipulating the prison staff?
9. Did the death of Alice and Nellie surprise you?
10. What part of the book resonated with you the most?

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Unlike the previous sections of the book, which primarily employed appeals to Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in roughly equal measure, in the book's final chapters Larson mostly relies on Pathos. all the characters, have had their credibility established, with little need for more appeals to Ethos. The only exception to this is detective Geyer, who is introduced toward the books end. Larson states that "he was Philadelphia's top detective...[and] had investigated some two hundred killings" establishing that Geyer is quite good at investigating crimes.
Most of the rhetorical appeals at the book's end are designed to appeal to pathos, and more specifically to induce feelings of horror and disgust when describing the aftermath of Holmes's crimes. Larson writes about the discovery of the body of the Pietzel children with all the gory details left in, describing how "due to the state of decomposition, [Nellie's] scalp, still covered in long black hair, slid off of her scalp as they tried to move her." This frankly disturbing description of moving the body of one of Holmes's victims, along with the descriptions of the body pits in the castle's basement that come just pages later, succeed in putting off the reader and reminding them of the truly horrific impact of Holmes's crimes