The Devil in the White City Blog #3

The fair brought not only new inventions but also new people. It was a way for America, and other countries, to experience the world's cultures all in one day/ visit, such as the Japanese opera. It was also a chance for America to see the new inventions that each country had to display, such as the light bulb. Another thing was, the World Fair was a way for countries to display their military advancements, such as their weapons and ships. One of the most obvious ways the Chicago World’s Fair changed America is the plethora of inventions that came out of it. The most prolific invention to come out of the fair was the Ferris Wheel. A structure of monstrous proportions, no one had ever seen anything like it before. Set upon thin rails of steel and turning on solid 45 feet long steel axis, people were doubtful that it would work. Chains and bars were even put on the windows to keep distressed men and women from jumping to their death. Trained operators were put in every car to soothe even the most scared and horrified passengers. This was also the first time many Americans had ever seen an electrified appliance. Speaking of electricity, it wasn’t new. Most towns had electricity powered streetlights in downtown. People had seen it before. The real invention of the use of electricity in the fair was the sheer magnitude of electricity being used; far more than enough to power Chicago itself. At night, lights would flicker on one by one until the whole of the White City was illuminated in dazzling light. The Fair great impacted the generation then and continued going prevalent to see through even today’s generations.  The ideas that were presented their at the Chicago World Fair were large advancement for dance and music up to big mechanical and energy related inventions that would shock and rocket the people into creative bounds for the future.  The World’s Columbian Exposition established a Neo-Classical revival in Chicago and across America brings new ideals and a whole new meaning behind creativity and creation.  It was a phenomenon, globally as each culture from around the world brought their bits and pieces of culture, fashion, food, transportation, music, dancing, and ways in which architecture was viewed and whether it was important or not. There was also many figures that were critically influenced by the Fair. One is Burnham who became a very famous and influential architect for many buildings around the country after the World's Fair. Also Walt Disney's father was a part of the fair, and his ideas greatly influenced Walt Disney. Walt probably obtained many ideas for Disney Land from the Chicago World's Fair. Another person was Nikola Tesla who invented alternative current, and used the World's Fair to prove to the world that AC current is superior. Also Tesla's rival Thomas Edison was influenced by the Fair, because he was able to show knew inventions such as the motion picture system that was daubed at the Fair. He used a kinetoscope as a machine for film projection. His invention was used for many years after. Europe also used Edison's invention to create the first movie theaters. Of course George Ferris became very famous during the World's Fair. He was the engineer from Pittsburg that invented the Ferris wheel. His invention helped increase attendance to the Chicago World's Fair and he also earned a lot of money.

The Devil In the White City Blog #2

Throughout American history, our forefathers have created and displayed America as one of a kind amazement. Thus the world fair was born; a tool to launch our civilized country into a prosperous nation conceived on jealousy and materialism. The World’s Fair in Chicago was a monumentous event for the people of America, especially the architects of the “White City”. The men working to design the fair did so with a vision, a vision that appeared to be impossible in the amount of time given. They worked diligently to finish the fair on time but as with everything in life there were some unexpected setbacks. In the text from the book above, Larson describes the collapse of the fair’s main building under the pressure of snow and wind. Even with this delay the workers and architectures worked even harder to build a stronger building in half the time. Their determination proved successful and eventually the extravagant vision for the fair became reality. From what I understand, the World's Expo was intended to be nothing more than a celebration of the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America.  However, the World's Expo ended up being so much more than that.  The people strived to do so much more than that.  The people saw the awe-inspiring World's Fair in Europe. 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 they killed or injured workers. When things are rushed, destructive traits always follow. While the fair appeared beautiful and immaculate it was indeed tormented by a darker parallel. Among the happy innocent bystanders there were thieves, cheaters, and killers. A certain man by the last name of Holmes used the fair as a way to lure travelers into his “World’s Fair Hotel” where he would then murder them. Holmes is the mold for the classic American psycho, he is smart and charming on the outside yet on the inside he is something completely different. The presence of Holmes shows the common archetype of a pure “white city” tainted by the evil within, because where there are people there is evil. As within every great attraction, there is always something lurking in the dark. Without this distinct parallel that exists Larson's novel could not have been produced, or written as a factual account of America. You must accept the good, and deal with the bad which is directly established in the pages one hundred ninety six to seven. By pointing out the destruction of the fair by arrogance and to distinguish dark that always parallels good Larson's novel parallels these features perfectly.

Evil Imminent

       In The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson portrays the lives of two men during the 1893 World Fair in Chicago. An architect working to design the fair and the other a serial killer working as a henchman to the devil. In the note, “Evils Imminent”, in the beginning of the book 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. In the end it is a story of the ineluctable conflict between good and evil, daylight and darkness, the white city and the black.” Larson does this right at the beginning of his book before the story even begins, using techniques with his language to make the reader ponder and start to wrap their mind around a story of mystery and murders, a nonfiction story.  He use “Evil’s Imminent” as an introduction to reveal what his novel will contain; two men of good and evil, Burnham and what would be the stories, Chicago’s  evil imminent, Holmes. Larson uses words like gore, smoke, and loam to establish the scene of the crimes and the where the story will take place in Chicago in the 1800’s full of people, smells, behaviors only known to people of this time.  In this page we are able to understand what conflict the novel will be presenting, the main idea.  Burnham and Holmes are described as blue eyed and passionate similarly.  However, a clear contrast is Burnham’s passion is for architecture while Holmes’s is for murder.  These men will both rise to the top famous of their actions while both using passion and personal determination, they will showcase their lives for everyone to see. The main difference between these men is their use of talents. Burnham used his talent and expertise to design and build large edifices; Holmes used his keen nature and good looks to design and carefully execute murderous acts. Also, their title and attitudes were different. Burnham was a high-profile, respected, famous architect who was proud of his accomplishments; Holmes keeps his work off the record and under the table. When juxtaposed, they are very similar in their successes, but when further inspected, the light and dark, good and evil are revealed. I find it nothing short of miraculous that he was able to lead the fair to completion in so short a time, against obstacles that would have stymied a lesser man. Meanwhile, here was Holmes, himself something of an architect, building a hotel that was a parody of everything architects held dear — yet that in its own way was equally, if darkly, miraculous: a building designed for murder. I found it so marvelously strange that both these men should be operating at the same time in history, within blocks of each other, both creating powerful legacies, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness. Throughout the story we notice a direct juxtaposition with good and evil, light and dark, the White City and black, which just as the scene is contrasting it flows well with the characters who are being contrasted and developed at the same time.  The note that Larson leaves for us to read prepares the audience for what they are really about to leave, giving only a hint, and showing that good and evil will be at war in the story but only time will tell who will rain superior through the perfection.

Extra Credit Blog: Satire in Modern Times

In satire, we're able to see life in a more chaotic way. Simple things such as celebrities, to civilization are portrayed with satire. Satire is the most comic way to ridicule something in particular Some of the earliest stages of satire are found in certain hieroglyphics from Egypt that are seen to be comical. Today, satire still ranges from many different medias. We usually tend to see satire in literature as well as in magazines, and sometimes in daily life.TV shows, books, newspaper readings, songs, comedy acts, etc. Satire is commonly used to bring about improvement but also to critic the society in all aspects. In America, we all use satire quite often whether it's to laugh while speaking with a friend or to call out a faulty statement in a certain situation. Satire can be used in almost every tone or attitude in which the author or user feels. On television everyone can witness this on shows like Saturday Night Life a, late-night television show filled with comedy, Satire is often used to mock or reveal an issue with a normally humorous, sarcastic tone. This device can be used in a variety of ways, some with bad effects others with benefits. In today's society, the effects and strategies of satire can be seen anywhere.

Satire is even popular on the internet. Millions of people interact over certain websites including Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and even celebrity web pages. Creators of such networks tend to exhibit catchy phrases to get people to join their site and increase popularity of it in order to emphasize stereotypical reasons and give them a chuckle. In the newspaper article composed by a newspaper place, The Onion, satire is integrated among many sentences in the piece. The article focuses on how the downfall of the economy effects how people everywhere are spending their money, while writing this in an ironic way. He makes the reader think about how much junk we spend money on. 

Some examples of Satire include... "People are learning that they have to be more responsible," Meyer said. "It's all about striking a balance between maxing out your credit cards, putting the big-ticket crap that you want really bad on layaway, and keeping enough cash on hand for impulse purchases at Yankee Candle or Brookstone." And "Refusing to buy all this news about the economy being in the ol' litter box? Well, believe it. It's true! And how does your pal Jean know this? Because I'm being forced to—get this—take a second job! What more crystal-clear indicator do you need that our country isn't doing so hot?

The Brady Bunch was spoofed in the 1970’s and made into a movie. They used different actors that mocked well known sayings of the show.  In the original show, one of the daughters would always be jealous of her older sister, Marsha, and would always complain, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.”  In the movie, they had a couple of African Americans in the movie who, instead of chanting Marsha, chanted “Moisha, Moisha, Moisha,” because it is an African name as to “Marsha” a White name. Satire is also used on the radio through radio shows and music that is played.

We read a piece in class the other day about Jennifer Aniston; it was about a modern celebrity with the author mocking her. Satire is seen to be used better when used in modern time situations. Many people often fees off celebrities to keep life lively and jolly. Also, they do this with books and movies as well. The good thing with satire is that you can chose to like or dislike the thing being made fun of or mocked.  One time in 2011 Miley Cyrus was a guest on Saturday Night Live. She had sketches that made fun of Justin Bieber on his hairstyle and the way he is. The audience saw how satire was being used in today’s society, without even knowing it was satire. By doing that, viewers obtain the important information they need to know what's going on around the world, but in a fun way that keeps them interested.  Also, the shows themselves benefit from having millions of viewers because their show becomes popular due to the raving reviews about how funny and entertaining the show is. The effect this had was that the audience saw how artists are being ridicule. The movie, “Vampires Suck” manipulated satire throughout the film, where everyone could notice it. It made fun of the Twilight Saga and how everyone in today’s society loves superstition stuff. The majority of older people are exposed to satire through their television at night while watching the nightly news after a long day of work.

In books, many different satirical writings exist all over the world. A more recent book has come out full of satire that discusses numerous countries and cuts directly to the source and point of the problems that country has experienced.  They do not feel remorse for the jokes they make because sometimes the obvious just really needs to blatantly said.

Satire consists of many numerous forms. Satire is one of many forms of humor but ultimately a specific form of art. Anyone may be capable of writing an essay focusing on books, or maybe a research paper, however it takes someone smart to insinuate satire throughout their work. Satire is not your average irony and comedic stand up. It is fragilely created to infuse some fun in certain scenarios. People shouldn’t get all but hurt and take satirical use to heart, its only there to have some fun. There is no doubt that satire in modern society has a positive effect on how information gets around to certain groups of people about important issues all around the world.  Satire morphs news into a more fun and exciting thing to watch, and makes necessary calls for action that need to be said.  Satire is a growing trend in modern America, and is sure to be seen in even more excess for years and years to come.