Blog 6: Final reflection entry on Devil in the White City

Extended Reflection Journal: In what ways does the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 change America? What lasting inventions and ideas did it introduce into American culture? What important figures were critically influenced by the Fair?

The "White City" that had graced Jackson Park of Chicago was a major accomplishment for America, especially after Paris' exhibit of thier world fair and the brilliance of the effiel tower, many people nationwide counted on the creators of the fair to come through with something even more ravishing then that of Paris' fair. The World's Fair changed American in more ways than imaginable. The Fair was a huge turning point for technology of the time and social and political aspects of American life. It changed what many other nations and people thought that America could create and accomplish. It was unlike anything else ever seen in America. The Fair helped America on its way to becoming a huge world power and leading the world in industrial and economic change and success. The fair changed how the rest of the world saw America as a country and as a world power. The fair influenced American and the rest of the world for generations to come, not only the few decades after the actual Fair. The World's Colombian Exposition established a Neo-Classical revival in Chicago and across America, thus changing American ideals and creating a entirely new way to view America. This global phenomenon of a fair changed culture, fashion, food, transportation and the ways in which tourists viewed architecture, and how these building defied gravity to create a whole new world to those who visited the fair. The fair was so new to everyone, that it baffled and wowed, and left many awestruck and excited. The buildings and new architecture of the fair helped to create this image of America as well, including the Ferris Wheel, and Thomas Edison's light tower of colorful choreographed lights dancing to the music. The exhibition halls housed new inventions and appliances for the home and farm, many of them powered by electricity changing the way home and farm worked. The new forms of electricity found at the fair were amazing and new and exciting, including, but not limited to electric incubators for chicken eggs, electric chairs for executions, an electric sidewalk, an early fax machine that sent pictures over telegraph lines, electric irons, sewing machines and laundry machines, and Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope, the first moving pictures. The new inventions of the time pulled in visitors and customers, leaving more and more profit for the fair than anyone could've imagined. Food was also a big part of the fair, leading to the creation of many well known brands of today, and common foods for the 1800's and still today, including gums, hamburger, cream of wheat, quaker oats, and shredded wheat. Aunt Jemima and Heinz were also new to the era, and created quite a frenzy of food madness. Many architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, and of course Burnham and Root, were involved in the production of the fair, leaving more room for improvement in architecture and such. The many visitors of the fair throughout its existence saw sights unlike anything else, and truly witnessed America change and grow socially. Buffalo Bill Cody, Thomas Edison, Susan B. Anthony were all greatly influenced by the creation and execution of the fair, making their ideas and beliefs readily available to the public eye for scrutiny, and helped them gain fame and popularity. The tourists, architects, city dwellers, and social activists of the time truly saw the change brought to America by the great World's Fair of the late 1800's.

Blog 5: Devil in the White City Reflection 2

Extended Reflection Journal: In describing the collapse of the roof of Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building, Larson writes "In a great blur of snow and silvery glass the building's roof—that marvel of late nineteenth-century hubris, enclosing the greatest volume of unobstructed space in history—collapsed to the floor below" [p. 196–97]. Was the entire Fair, in its extravagant size and cost, an exhibition of arrogance? Do such creative acts automatically engender a darker, destructive parallel?


Americais filled withe the most prideful people on earth, we boast freedom, technology and the American dream, America has been trying to outshine and outdo everyone else, throughout history, but along with numerous other countries as well. From The Imperial Age, to modern times, Americans always want something bigger and better and just plain and simply: more than anyone else. Nowadays, American's are always trying to one up their neighbors with a nicer lawn or a bigger car, or maybe trying to get a better grade than the student next to them, or trying to earn the most money. It's the American way of life, and it always has been. America is an arrogant country, always showing off what they've got, and not being afraid to show it. The World's Fair was just another example of arrogance and boasting the newest, best, most advanced technology, style, culture, trends and so on and so forth. The Fair was built on jealousy and materialism, showcasing America's strength. The World's fair introduced a new found obsession with becoming a world superpower in America in the 19th century. Arrogance is an overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors; directly relating to the fair. The fair was only installed and designed in order to project America as a wondrous country better than that of the former Paris exposition. It was supposed to be designed bigger and better than anything in existence no matter of cost or physical or earthly limitations. The fair was completely and one hundred percent a display of American arrogance during the 19th century. It was used throughout its running as an act to draw in and hypnotize tourists to believe and register America as a world power; the best, and only, of its kind. In order to reach this level of greatness no cost limit was implicated, displaying the arrogance and pride America soaked in and developed during the worlds fair construction and exposition. America wanted to reach the title of number one, outdoing the competition Paris displayed. This simple act of want, greed, and need for material popularity gained America arrogance not easily forgotten. Arrogance must be displayed in order to gain the superiority America strove for when wanting to build and construct a beautiful, amazing world exposition sure to draw in, capture, and shock tourists and business men from all over ready and willing to watch America sky rocket to stardom. The project was built purely for boasting and bragging rights, and to leave other nations behind in the metaphorical dust. The fair's amount of work and power required to function, of course will engender a darker, destructive parallel. Anything that takes this much work, with such a good outcome of course has to have a downside, or a downfall. THe whole novel contrasts the White City and the Black City, leaving a parallel of bad to go with the massive amounts off good that came out of the Fair. All good things have a bad side, including the magnificent World's Fair of the late 1800's; the work Burnham and the other architects put into it was incredible, while others like Holmes, were on cruel murdering sprees throughout the city, leaving a bad taste. The Fair was a fantastic event, all the while creating a bad effect.

Blog 4: Extended reflection on Devil in the White City

In the note "Evils Imminent," Erik Larson writes "Beneath the gore and smoke and loam, this book is about the evanescence of life, and why some men choose to fill their brief allotment of time engaging the impossible, others in the manufacture of sorrow" [xi]. What does the book reveal about "the ineluctable conflict between good and evil"? What is the essential difference between men like Daniel Burnham and Henry H. Holmes? Are they alike in any way?

The title of the novel itself, "The Devil in the White City," already eludes a contrast, striking evil in visible good. Quite obviously in the novel, Burnham represents the greater good and some what innocence, as holmes reflects evils and impurity. Also Chicago reeks danger and evil whilst the fair and 'white city' are set up for triumph and good, however these two men and cities intertwine and have a lot more in common then it may seem.
As we read Burnham gives his heart and soul to make this fair great, for the reputation of America and even greater the reputation of Chicago. Holmes turns this good thing into something evil, by using it to lure people he will murder into his hotel. The book's two most powerful figures, the great architect Daniel Burnham and the psychopathic killer, Henry H. Holmes, in many ways embody the opposing forces of the age. Burnham was responsible for building the White City, overcoming a series of crushing professional obstacles and personal tragedies to make the Fair the magical, awe-inspiring event that it was. He brought together some of the greatest architects of the day and convinced them of the importance of the Fair, and somehow got them to work together to achieve what many considered to be an impossible project in an astonishingly brief amount of time. Simultaneously, in the shadow of the White City, Henry H. Holmes set up his own World's Fair Hotel to take advantage of naive young single women arriving in Chicago from surrounding small towns. Using his mesmerizing charm and an uncanny ability to fend off creditors and police, Holmes bent his victims to his will and committed a series of murders as cold-blooded as any in American history.

But The Devil in the White City is about more than just two men. It is about America on the threshold of the twentieth century— when all could all gaze in wonder at the magnificence of the White City.

So even burnham as good and holmes is evil they both have similar life styles and goals, both strive and work hard as well as using thier looks and charm to accomplish things, and both with thier striking blue eyes. Nevertheless, good and evil no matter how similar are forever seperated by ill intentions on trhe evil part, Burnham would never manipulate or find pleasure in such evils in the way that holmes does, and I do not think holmes could be satisfied with leading a life in the same way burnham did.

Blog 3 1/2: Modern Satire

“a joke is a very serious thing.”
-Winston Churchill

Many say that humor is the way to a nation’s heart, by making people laugh you spark interest and good feelings. Satire, is a perfect example of how humor can turn even the most stomach churning controversies into something humorous and easily talked about.

Satire is a form of persuasion, through out history it has been used to ridicule and shame individuals, society or government into change or viewing matters. However, Satire uses a lighter air and does not attack with venom but humor making the writer more likeable and agreeable and even adds logic to their demeanor. By using humor in a inventive and useful way satire has proven to be a great tool in literature.

Satire today is still in motion, and modern satire is used in a variety of ways and purposes. A perfect example includes, comedy shows such as Saturday night live and the Colbert show err whatever it’s called, also animations like family guy, south park and American dad. This is very important satire because as these shows are funny and entertaining they also bring about important issues and follies in major things such as politics. This is great because these shows have millions of viewers and these satire ‘skits’ and jokes actually inform people about what’s going on.

Coming about satire and recognizing it’s presence in modern shows, writing and visuals. It is very easy to spot satire, usually it is making fun of a well known people, place or event/idea. Satire uses irony, parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, and analogy. It is so effective because it is funny but also very logical. Satire only just a joke if there is no logic behind what is being said, no call to action or wronged to right.

**(distracting side note: there is a band called Modern Day Satire, check em out they’re not bad at all, actually quite good(: haha they are meant to be one of those funny-good bands like on get him to the greek)

Here is an effective use of modern satire:

Zero-Tolerance for Sober Driving

If you are depressed, and no medicines are working for you, alcohol just might be the way out. If you need something to do, getting drunk just might be the solution. Bored? I heard being drunk makes everything just a little more flashy. How about a challenge? The way alcohol really blurs your vision when driving can really spice up your driving life. If at first you don’t succeed –try, try, and try again. After all, practice makes perfect! Recently, more and more drivers have discovered the joys of drunk driving. However, research indicates that consumption of alcohol while driving can lead to the victimization of these innocent drivers. Sober drivers who can think clearly and make logical decisions are the leading cause of death for America’s drunk drivers. Thus, sober driving should be made illegal and drunk driving mandatory.

One of the leading causes of concern for moms today is teen car crashes. Everyday, the news is filled with drunken teens that are killed in vicious encounters with sober drivers, light posts and even trees! However, there are groups of people who are apparently trying to convince people that it was the drunk drivers who were at fault! But let’s take a look at the facts: approximately 40% of all motor-vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related. This means 60% of motor-vehicle fatalities are sober-related! As if this is not enough, about 1/3 of the drunkards hospitalized are repeat victims (the feds call them offenders). Clearly, if more of those sober idiots were under the influence, maybe so many innocent drunk drivers would not be killed.

Sober driving is not only a critical blow to families of the innocent; it also costs the public $114.3 billion a year in damages. That means the taxpayers have to provide the very money that is used to build poles and plant trees in various traps to ensnare drunk drivers! Obviously, we need to raise public awareness about the dangers of the sober driver. Almost nothing is being currently done to inform teens of the bonuses of drinking and driving. The dangers of sober driving will deter any of them from taking unnecessary risks that could compromise not only their own lives, but also of the drunk drivers they might hit. After all, today’s teenagers are very mature and responsible. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I value my life so I’m making sure I don’t leave home without a six-pack –just in case


I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve this essay! It is a PERFECT example of good satire. It’s sooo funny! And it uses facts data and research to prove a totally ridiculous point! And makes the clause look so stupid it’s genius. And personally satire is so much more fun to read then just plain old persuasion.

Satire is timeless. When we read Swift’s “Modern Proposal,” in class the other day it cracked me up, and that was written in the 1800’s! The idea of eating children is simply too much haha but it he has very good facts figures and logical explanations for everything. I really do think satire is my all time favorite form of writing, it is so fun to read and not so painful to write.

We also looked into a more modern piece in class, I believe it was a response to a letter a land-owner got for ‘construction’ on state property without permit, which ironically enough was beavers. The author of this letter was very comical indeed, addressing the letter with the upmost false seriousness ever. Referring to everything as ‘dam’ haha it’s funny because it was about a beaver dam(: The best part was definitely at the end when he mentioned that the real problem was those ‘dam’ bears that are leaving their ‘waste’ in the forest therefore littering. Haha it was priceless. The was probably very effective because A) the whole point of citation was dumb in the first place and the response CLEARLY shows that and B) it was so dam funny!

Blog 3: Modest Proposal Reflection

Ireland was suffering a great depression in the 1700s, and catholics across the country were not being fed nor clothed. Children were said to grow up as stealers, beggars and prostitutes. Jonathan Swift choose to write a piece on this issue labeled, "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to their Parents, or the Country, and for Making them Beneficial to the Publick." Swift uses satire on the ironic proposal of eating children to test what Ireland will do to not help the poor and feed the already rich.

Well perhaps Swift was on to something, eating children would in fact lessen the chance for more future stealers, beggars and prostitutes. Also, there would go problems with feeding and clothing the creatures. Hey, we could even eat adults as well, unemployed ones of no spectacular value of course. Men could eat their wives if needed, that would solve the issues of divorce for the catholics! Eating people, Cannibalism, is taken too seriously, when people are starving there are plenty of people to eat, they would die anyways, this way we could save ourselves the cost of funerals and burial expense, grandma's  about to die? Eat her up while she's still fresh! This would also help the modern over-population crisis in countries like China. 

Eating people? NO. Swift's "proposal" to fatten up these undernourished children and feed them to Ireland's rich land-owners. Children of the poor could be sold into a meat market at the age of one, he argues, thus combating overpopulation and unemployment, sparing families the expense of child-bearing while providing them with a little extra income, improving the culinary experience of the wealthy, and contributing to the overall economic well-being of the country is simply barbaric. He actively uses satire to enforce the ludicrous of the situation. People wouldn't REALLY want to eat children! Especially today when children are loved, cherished and spoiled. To eat or kill something so innocent and cute is crazy. This however an effective way to go about persuading an audience on Swift's particular issue.

Satire, as I find it, is a good way to bring in an argument or POV on controversial topics with a lighter air. Humor, especially in America, is a way to get into the hearts of the masses, if a person is funny, they are likeable, there for their views and opinions are that much more easier to accept.

Although, it is very interesting how something so crazily inane as eating children can be funny, but Swift  offers a good persuasion when using humor to aid his theme. He conjures up facts and data and statistics, well somewhat considering it was the 1700s, to support his proposal which makes the whole essay even more ridiculous. Real figures for his fake proposal just adds more humor to the situation.

He suggests some recipes for preparing this delicious new meat, and he feels sure that innovative cooks will be quick to generate more. He also anticipates that the practice of selling and eating children will have positive effects on family morality: husbands will treat their wives with more respect, and parents will value their children in ways hitherto unknown. His conclusion is that the implementation of this project will do more to solve Ireland's complex social, political, and economic problems than any other measure that has been proposed.

”I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled ...”

This is just too much! haha. Ohh and I like how he 'gets the idea' from an American. I think that adds to it as well seeing as it is an essay written in Europe. 

Swift captures his readers with the explanation and re-telling of the famine and depression in Ireland, he shows a compassionate side and the whole intro is completely serious. And then all of a sudden BOOM! Let's eat children. The fact that it's so unexpected is funny. The proposal draws attention to the self-degradation of the nation as a whole by illustrating it in shockingly literal ways. The idea of fattening up a starving population in order to feed the rich casts a grim judgment on the nature of social relations in Ireland. 

Blog 1: extended Turgenev reflection

"The execution of Tropmann," written by a Russian writer Ivan Turgenev reflects his own experience and thoughts on a public execution that took place in Paris, France in 1870. The condemned man, Tropmann, was said to be the murderer of a family, children as well. Tropmann plead as not-guilty, but was still sentenced to death. The author describes the whole execution whilst him and a small group of selected visitors are shown the process of the execution. Throughout the text Turgenev’s tone is some-what guilty and condescending, he wrote this essay to convey his thought on public execution and capital punishment in general.
Without going into depth or over viewing the entire text and context clues, one would think the story is just that, a story. However, after identifying certain rhetorical devices and specific word chooses, it is easy to see that Turgenev is making an argument. This aspect of stealthiness alone is a good device used to sway the readers opinion. Also, by describing some scenes or situations that could easily have been left out he is showing the reader insight, for example he mentions Tropmann’s lawyer trying to tell the executioner Trapmenn is innocent because he is crazy and therefore was not in the right state of mind. Which rises the question, is execution for those of the wrong state of mind as well? Turgenev also described Tropmen as "youthful," and "boyish" with handsome features, he mentions how he can not imagine him to be a murderer just from the appearance of him. This elicits sympathy for Tropmann and the rising swell of guilt. He describes the crowd in a negative way, and always mentioning his apart-ness, as if he knows he is involved with something so very wrong, yet he’s trying to dissociate himself from the other people who are looking forward to the execution.
Turgenev is not pushing people to stop the death, he’s at the execution, but he goes home and writes this piece because he feels all this guilt. Unlike the crowd who disperses and continues living their normal lives, not having second thoughts, Turgenev cannot live this down. The purpose of this essay was to shed light to the people pf the 1800's who watched executions for entertainment, he wanted them to see the immorality of it all and feel guilty for wanting it to happen.
I agree with Turgenev and his negative view of the whole situation. I would not even be able to face Tropmann knowing that I could do nothing while a man was killed in front of me. Death is not a form of punishment, it should not be viewed as such. Everyone has their own opinions but death is such a major issue that it should not be up to us as humans to decide that, no murders no capital punishment, no suicides. Death is a natural thing, everyone dies yet it should not be up to us to pick and choose who dies, it should happen when it’s meant to. There should be bo such thing as a planned death.

Assignment #15: Cowboys.

Cowboys... rugged? Tough? heroes... throughout western history.

Elrich describes the softer side of these men, exemplifying sweetness, vulnerability and kindness... kind of like puppies(: A mix of these two images.