Contradiction In H. Martin's The Devil In The White City

Everyone tends to act differently in some point of their life. It’s in the manner people act that dictates the real character in each person. For Herman Mudgett (H. H. Holmes) his actions were the very essence of contradiction much like the man described in the poem If Four is then this is a Parade for they share a similar behavioral pattern. The poet describes a person who has eight different personalities, five are harmless while the others are toxic. Guerin establishes that good and evil are one, not two separate entities that are the driving forces behind a personality, but he is also warning the reader to be careful trusting people for “you won’t know who’s who” (Guerin 11). Revealing this important message, also relates to readers of The Devil in the White City because Holmes “could feel that he was a God in disguise,” due to the fact he could easily trick people into trusting him while he planned their murder (Larson 388). Much like the person described in the poem, Holmes also had many sides to him which he hid with ease. For example Holmes courted, seduced, and engaged many women all of whom reciprocated his “feelings”. While many claimed he adored children, Julia Conner, one of Holmes first victims, became pregnant and in return for their creation of life Holmes

On the other hand words like ‘nice’ ‘no harm’ ‘hug’ ‘reminisce’ which have a more positive connotation bringing hope and good into the person’s clouded world. The last line “So in this cell we sit” along with all the connotations, Guerin alludes to the tone of acceptance but also amusement for the person doesn’t reveal any anxiety about being locked up and knows it is for the good. But you also get a sense of planning because it is a part of the couplet that would have an evil connotation to it