79 pages • 2 hours read
Erik LarsonThe Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Summary
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Prologue
Part 1, Chapters 1-3
Part 1, Chapters 4-6
Part 1, Chapters 7-10
Part 2, Chapters 1-3
Part 2, Chapters 4-6
Part 2, Chapters 7-9
Part 2, Chapters 10-12
Part 2, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 1-3
Part 3, Chapters 4-6
Part 3, Chapters 7-9
Part 3, Chapters 10-12
Part 3, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 16-19
Part 3, Chapters 20-22
Part 4, Chapter 1
Part 4, Chapters 2-4
Part 4, Chapters 5-6
Epilogue
Key Figures
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Book Club Questions
Tools
BetaEssay Topics
Structurally and linguistically, how does Larson connect the biographies of Holmes and Burnham?
How does journalism function in the book?
The book closes with the sinking of the Titanic. What is the significance of this choice on Larson’s part, beyond the factual chronology?
Discuss “Part 1” of the book.
Explore the theme of magic in the book.
What does Larson’s book say about society? Draw on the text for examples to illustrate your views.
Write about humor in Larson’s book, citing examples.
Discuss the relevance of the murder mystery and detective genres to Larson’s book.
Discuss the function of symbols in the book.
In what ways does Larson connect book writing with architecture and serial killing? What are the effects and implications of this?
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By Erik Larson
