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

In Larson’s text, H. H. Holmes is able to evade suspicion and get away with a shocking number of crimes. Why are others unaware of his violent activities although he commits them in close proximity to large crowds of people? According to Larson, what conscious choices does Holmes make to help him escape notice, and what qualities does he possess that aid in his objectives? In terms of narrative elements, how does the juxtaposition of the figure of Holmes with the figure of Burnham impact the reader?

Teaching Suggestion: Holmes’s appearance and charm, among other traits, contribute to his ability to escape notice. Students might discuss the irony of his secret crimes occurring so near the vast crowds gathered at the World’s Fair and speculate on the reasons for this. Readers might work with a partner to find and share with the larger group the strongest textual evidence to establish Holmes and Burnham as foils.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Daniel Burnham’s World”  

In this activity, students will research the traits and work of Daniel Burnham and create a three-dimensional representation of one of his buildings.