IRB Intro: Devil In the White City

For my next IRB, I have decided to reread a historical nonfiction book called, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I have read it in the past, but I remember liking it, and have decided to read it again for rhetorical purposes, as well as the fact that I know I will enjoy reading it. The book takes place during the early 20th century, and revolves around a "fair", that takes place in the heart of Illinois- Chicago. at this time period, there was dancing and parties and women who found their independence, and overall, it was a time period of innovation and recreation. As the fair is being built over this time period, there is a murderer on the loose in Chicago. Like the wind, he is heard but not seen. He moves swiftly without a trace, and no one suspects him because he is a doctor. This not only adds a more intriguing plot to the book, but also provides the reader with insight about the downsides of the glamour and fabulousness that was the early 1900s.

I predict that the author will definitely utilize a dark tone throughout the book. As the book takes place in a fast-moving setting, Larson will have to sneak in the ominous tone in order to encapsulate how mysterious and dangerous this new serial killer was. Because the killer was one of the first to ever cause the death of a high number of people, it was a shock to not only Chicago, but to the entire nation. Many women and children were killed, and it was, as it says on the cover, madness. Larson will also need to change his tone throughout the book because each chapter changes topics. I mean this in the sense that one chapter will take place somewhere relating to the building of the fair, and the next will relate to the killer. The building of the fair should be more of a rushed feeling and less dangerous, but the killer's chapters should obviously be darker.

I can also predict that the author will definitely use references and maybe even allusions. Because this is a historical focus, I figure that these references will support the author's story, and give the story more of a background. It will also establish more credibility for the author, while also giving context to the reader.

I have read this book before, and I know it is good, but I feel as though reading it again for a different purpose will give me an even better understanding of how the author thinks, and maybe even make me realize things about the book I hadn't noticed before. I'm excited to read it again, and I hope it's worth it!