The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Together [Burnham] and his architects had conjured a dream city whose grandeur and beauty exceeded anything each singly could have imagined. (Prologue.8)

Strength in numbers, right? When you put a bunch of really smart and creative people together, great things happen.

Quote #2

But the fair did more than simply stoke pride. It gave Chicago a light to hold against the gathering dark of economic calamity. (3.11.30)

Light; dark. Dreams; nightmares. See where we're going with this? The White City offered people and escape from the Black City clamoring outside its walls.

Quote #3

The fair was so perfect, its grace and beauty like an assurance that for as long as it lasted nothing truly bad could happen to anyone, anywhere. (3.11.34)

Visitors felt safe in the White City, as safe as they do in their own dreams. They felt protected from the evils lurking outside, and perhaps wished they could live in this dream forever.