Devil In The White City Essay

Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City is a nonfiction novel compiling a variety of sources to tell the story of Chicago circa 1893. A symbol of American exceptionalism, Chicago’s Columbian Exposition shaped the city tremendously -- whilst harboring a far more nebulous and sinister truth. Larson uses this setting to make a statement about the White and Black City, an elucidation upon the nature of the Gilded Age. Changing ideals and an evolving society made urban America a crucible for both atrocity and ingenuity, madness and brilliance. He uses two famously dedicated men to embody these characteristics, their divergence only revealing their parallels. Larson’s novel doesn’t just focus on these men, it involves a multitude of secondary characters and tangent plot lines to bring to light the

The revolution of female liberation from Victorian practices ushered in an age of freedom of action for many women. Young adults were able to pursue romantic entanglements without supervision, and women could go out alone on the street. However, the Gilded Age’s fabricated grandeur held true for women’s rights as well. While joining the workforce was a major stride in itself, an inability to gain recognition for one’s work and a perpetual position of subservience to men in the workplace exemplified a less appealing actuality. The architect of the Women’s Building, Sophia Hayden, is now hailed as a skilled architect, but failed to garner the same respect as her male counterparts during the Fair. The inclusion of the m8enu in (PAGE SOMETHING) and description of the gentleman’s club of wealthy Fair elites exemplifies the excess and exclusivity of the World’s Fair. Larson’s inclusion of this movement during changing times reinforces his statements regarding the false promises of the Gilded