Questions and Answers
What kind of novel is Devil in a White City?
What year was the Chicago World's Fair built in?
1893
The Chicago World's Fair is AKA?
The World's Columbian Exposition
Why was the World's Fair/Columbian Exposition designed?
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The first 3 parts of the novel take place in __.
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The 4th part of the book is in __.
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Who is the architect who built the 1893 Chicago World's Fair?
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Who is the serial killer who uses the fair to find his victims?
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What was Holmes's first career?
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Who is Burnham's partner?
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Chicago wins the bid for the World's Exposition in __.
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What were some obstacles Burnham encountered during construction of the fair?
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Who dies early on, leaving Burnham to continue by himself?
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What solution do Burnham and his crew come up with to 'outshine' the Eiffel Tower?
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Once the fair opens in 1893, Burnham still needs to work on challenges such as boosting attendance.
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How does the closing of the fair bring tragedy?
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Holmes comes to Chicago in __ in search to be a __.
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Why does Holmes buy a pharmacy in Englewood?
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After buying the pharmacy, what does Holmes buy next?
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What does Holmes build on the lot across from his pharmacy?
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What do the top two floors of Holmes's building have?
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What does the first floor of Holmes's building serve as?
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Once Jackson Park is officially announced as the World's Fair fairgrounds, Holmes turns his building into __.
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What were some of Holmes's illegal acts (besides murder)?
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On the verge of being discovered for his crimes, Holmes does what?
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What was he finally arrested for and where?
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Who investigates Holmes's illegal activities and uncovers more murders across the country?
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Who is the protagonist and talented architect given the task of building the Chicago World's Fair?
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Out of Burnham and Root, which of the two is more of the businessman and public relations expert?
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Who suffers illness and dies before the fair begins construction?
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Who is the distinguished landscape architect hired for the creation of the fair?
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What setting does the book take place in?
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In the 1800's, Chicago had undergone a frequency of deaths caused by...
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What age does Burnham move to Chicago?
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The previous owner of Holmes's new pharmacy mysteriously disappears after Holmes becomes owner.
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What happens 6 months after Chicago wins the bid for the exposition?
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What does Burnham's friend Ellsworth ask Olmsted to do?
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Olmsted eventually agrees to be a part of creating the fair.
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Who leads the East Coast architects tour of the fair site?
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The East Coast architects were impressed with the fair site.
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Why are the people in Chicago angry with Burnham and Root?
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What does Holmes begin construction on?
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Why does Burnham move his family of 5 children out of the city to Evanston?
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Who is named the site of the fair in November?
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What does Holmes do after the site of the fair is announced?
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Study Notes
Character Overviews and Book Summary
- "Devil In A White City" is a literary nonfiction novel intertwining the stories of architect Daniel Burnham and serial killer H.H. Holmes in Chicago during the late 19th century.
- Key characters include Burnham, Root (Burnham's partner), Olmsted (landscape architect), and Holmes (the antagonist).
Chicago World's Fair
- The Chicago World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, was built in 1893 to commemorate Columbus's arrival in America.
- The location of the fair was Jackson Park, selected in 1890, amidst competition from cities like New York and St. Louis.
- Burnham faced multiple challenges during construction, including economic decline, strikes, injuries, and competition from the Eiffel Tower.
Daniel Burnham
- Burnham was appointed chief of construction for the fair and was responsible for its overall design.
- He had a limited formal education but was determined and self-motivated, previously having failed admission tests to Yale and Harvard.
- He designed the first skyscraper in America, called the Montauk, with Root.
H.H. Holmes
- Holmes, a psychopathic doctor and serial killer, arrived in Chicago in 1886, pretending to be a respectable businessman.
- He purchased a pharmacy in Englewood, strategically located near the fairgrounds, and later acquired a lot to build a hotel meant for murdered victims.
- His building was designed with secret passages for disposing of bodies, contributing to the horrors associated with his crimes.
Key Events and Developments
- The opening of the fair in 1893 faced lingering challenges such as boosting attendance and profitability, which Burnham managed to overcome successfully.
- The fair concluded tragically when Chicago's mayor, Carter Henry Harrison, was assassinated shortly after its closing.
- Holmes evaded capture by fleeing Chicago but was eventually arrested in Philadelphia for insurance fraud.
Character Dynamics
- Root, Burnham's partner, died before the fair's completion, leaving Burnham to continue alone.
- While Burnham handled public relations and business aspects, Root was the architectural genius behind their firm.
- Holmes's relationships were marked by deceit; he married multiple women under false pretenses and was involved in various fraudulent activities.
Post-Fair Impact
- The Chicago World's Fair significantly improved the city's global reputation and showcased architectural innovations, including Burnham's iconic Ferris Wheel, designed to rival the Eiffel Tower.
- The narrative reflects the duality of ambition and horror in a burgeoning America, with the fair symbolizing progress while Holmes's crimes highlighted societal dark sides.
Additional Context
- The story begins aboard the RMS Olympic in April 1912, a significant date as it coincides with the sinking of the Titanic.
- The backdrop of 1800s Chicago experienced frequent tragedies from disease, fires, accidents, and murders, highlighting the chaotic environment leading up to the fair.
- Architectural teams from the East Coast were initially unimpressed with the fair's site, emphasizing the contrasting views of both local and external talent in shaping Chicago's legacy.
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Description
Test your knowledge on 'Devil In A White City' with this comprehensive quiz. Explore character overviews, the historical context of the Chicago World's Fair, and the type of novel this masterpiece represents. Perfect for fans and readers looking to deepen their understanding of this literary work.
