Burnham/Holmes Comparison (500 Words)

Larson begins this nonfiction novel with the intro “Evils Imminent”. He explains that there will be good and evil in this story, where good is Burnham and evil is Holmes. When Larson writes “Beneath the gore and smoke and loam…” He is explaining the setting of the story. These words are describing the stock yards, and the dirty streets, that were really only in Chicago during the 1800’s. Burnham and Holmes are similar in the fact that they are both extremely passionate in the things they do and they always want to get the job done. The part that’s different is the job they’re doing: architecture and murder. They both become well known for the things they’ve done and accomplished. They live their lives as they want to and not how others say they should. Larson begins describing Holmes as a gentleman and honest and trustworthy, shows that no one could have seen the evil inside him. His murders have to be perfect because he strives for perfection, they have to go exactly as he plans them.
Burnham’s idea of perfection are his buildings, his architecture. He strives for the bigger and better buildings. His buildings always have to be taller than the others as well. He wants the fame and the fortune and the only way for him to get it is by creating the ultimate work of art: skyscrapers. Burnham is constantly thinking of the fair and how he will make it ten times better then the fair that France had created. Although the men’s lives are different in the things they pursue and the careers they want to perfect.
The two men are similar in the fact that they are doing the ultimate: achieving the impossible and “manufacturing” sorrow. The two men are connected even though neither of them have met the other. They are similar in how passionate they are and how they want to perfect everything they come across. But they are inevitably brought together by a single event: The World Fair.
You notice in the book that Good and Evil, light and dark, White City and Black City are contrasted with the books main characters. Burnham is associated with the good, the light, and the white city. Holmes is associates with the evil, the dark, and the black city. In the story the White City is the beautiful, artistic, and glorious part of Chicago that most people walking around see, the place where Burnham thrives. Burnham has created much of the White City and that is where he sees his perfection. On the other hand, the Black City, is the place where Holmes thrives. This is the place that not many people see. It’s the darker side of Chicago, where Holmes can perfect his craft: murder. This is the place that people don’t want to see or talk about. It’s the “dirty” part of the city and a place where not many people dwell.
Larson uses this not to prepare readers for the juxtaposition of these two subjects, and the fact that their passion for perfection might be there downfall.