The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Why does Chicago hope to host the 1893 World's Fair? What does success mean for the city? What would failure entail?
  2. What is the narrative structure of the work? Why is it divided in this way?
  3. Author Erik Larson writes that he reconstructs historic events using only primary sources. What is the advantage of this? What are some disadvantages?
  4. How are architects perceived during this time period? Are they viewed the same way today?
  5. What is the role of women at the Chicago World's Fair? At H. H. Holmes' Castle?
  6. What is it about the White City that mesmerizes people?
  7. How are the White City and the Black City similar? Different?