The Devil in the White City Blog 2

In a way the Chicago World fair was an exhibition of arrogance. When first determining which city should host the world fair, all the cities had a great pride that their city was the best choice. Not only that but they also believed that they could successfully complete in the World Fair in the short amount of time given, and they believed that they could create a World Fair that would surpass Frances'. So yes everyone needed to be a little arrogant to actually believe that they had the ability to produce the World Fair that they dreamed about. When constructing the World Fair, the leaders were constantly pushing the workers to work faster and harder, so that they could complete the fair on time. The main reason for this is that they didn't want to damage their pride. They believed they could complete the fair, and would do anything to make sure it is completed on time. They also had so much pride that they believed they could find millions of dollars to spend on the construction of the Chicago World Fair. Not only that, but they also believed that they could drawn in so many visitors, that the fair would make a profit. This is all based on their pride. They had no facts that this could all be done, they just believed that is could and that believe came from their pride. Another thing they "had" to do was "out Eifel, Eifel." They constantly talk about that. At first the main reason for this fair was to celebrate Columbus' discovery of America, so what would "out Eifeling, Eifel" do. That is all based on pride, that America must beat the French to prove that America's engineers are superior to the rest of the world.

There creative acts did engender a darker, destructive parallel mainly because of the reason that they were rushing everything. When rushing construction that is just asking for bad things to go wrong. However the architects had no other choice. They had to rush everything if they were going to see the World Fair completed. This shows more arrogance, because they had such great pride that they could complete an extravagant Fair in such little time. They also believed they could construct the Fair on not the greatest foundation. All this was due to their hubris. The Fair engendered a "darker, destructive parallel," also because they tried building during their very harsh winters. They needed to complete the Fair on time, so that required them to work through the winter. However the harsh weather constantly destroyed buildings, causing them to have to repair. Many times the killed or injured workers. When things are rushed, destructive traits always follow. Since things aren't being built with the greatest materials and designs, the weather easily can destroy the buildings and force the construction back. Also rushing things also brings a darker parallel, because this causes many people to die. When things are rushed, safety isn't that important and many mistakes can be easily made. Mistakes in construction usually leads to injuries or death. 

Extended Reflection Journal (BLOG) - Burnham/Holmes Comparison (500 words)

The Devil in The White City describes how wherever there is good, there is evil. The Chicago world fair was being built out of good reasons. Mainly to show the world the greatness of America. However while the world fair was being built, a serial killer had other plans on how to use the world fair to his own advantage. He decided to create a hotel to lure people into it, and then kill his guests. The world fair may have been for just reasons, but evil found a way to use the world fair to its own advantage. Also Burnham even created a really big group of security. The purpose was to stop crime, but even the upgraded security force couldn't stop Holmes' plans. This just shows that no matter what you do, evil will always exist among good. There is nothing to stop it. Also no one could ever talk Holmes out of being a killer. He says that people are born into their profession, and he was born a killer. People cannot get rid of his thrill of killing, and the fact that people are born with the fascination of killing just proves that there is no way to end evil. This shows what the book means by "the ineluctable conflict between good and evil"?

                The main difference between Daniel Burnham and Henry H. Holmes is that Burnham is sane why Holmes is a psychopathic killer. Burnham mourns at his friends death, like Root's, while Holmes enjoys the sport of killer people. Burnham uses his intelligence for good, and tries to help the whole country by building the fair. Holmes uses his intelligence for his own purpose; killing people for his enjoyment. Their motivation is also very different. Burnham wants to prove to the whole world that Chicago is capable of building a world fair that can greatly surpass Paris. While Holmes does everything for himself. He does it to satisfy his yearning to kill people. He has some sick fetish of killing people, and develops a great enjoyment from it.

                Holmes and Burnham also have many similarities. They are both greatly ambitious, resourceful, intelligent, and energetic. The main similarity however is their determination to get their job done. They will do whatever it takes to finish their work. They are both very good at fulfilling their goals. They do not believe anything is impossible. They set a standard, and do everything they can do to surpass it. They are hardly ever satisfied, and will continue to improve their building until they are almost perfect. They both also do whatever it takes to succeed. The world thought that there wasn't enough time to build the world fair in Chicago, but he didn't give up and worked endlessly until it was done. Holmes also didn't start off with enough money to build a hotel. He was able to use his charm and wit to buy a pharmacy and make enough money to finally build a hotel, and even evade paying for many other things, which allowed the hotel to be built. So their main similarity is their determination to fulfill their goals.