Bacon Academy
Honors United States History Summer Assignment 2014-2015
The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson Reading Guide - Summer 2014
Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two
men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the
world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous
research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly
discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.
http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/devilinthewhitecity/about.html
Devil in the White City is unlike any summer reading book you’ve ever read. The novel centers around the
1893 “Columbian Exposition,” the 400-year celebration of Columbus’ famous voyage. However, the focus of
the novel is the true story of two major characters, one a pioneering architect, the other, a ruthless
murderer. The stories are intertwined beautifully and tell the dramatic changes that occurred not only in
Chicago during the late 19th century, but in the United States as a whole. This book will be instrumental in
students’ understanding of the era known as the “Gilded Age.”
The summer reading component of students’ grade will be 5% of the first marking period grade. This
component will include this reading guide, and the reading journal.
Please do not take this reading lightly; it is not something that can be skipped. If this book is not read, it
will have an adverse effect on not only your summer reading grade, but your first marking period grade as
well.
Part One:
Directions:
- All answers must be typed and be the original work of the student.
Identification Instructions: Identify the following terms; all play a major role in the novel. You may use
either your text book or the internet as a resource (however, be sure to cite any information you obtain, do
not plagiarize). All identifications should contain three elements: a time period, definition, and an
explanation of the item’s significance. After you have defined/identified each term, briefly explain how each
relates to the story told in the book.
a. Jane Addams and the Hull House
b. Frederick Law Olmstead
c. Francis Willard and the WCTU
d. Henry George and Single Tax Clubs
e. Pinkerton National Detective Agency
f. Samuel Gompers and the A.F.L.
g. Panic of 1893
h. Frederick Jackson Turner
i. Pullman Strike of 1894
j. Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West Show
Discussion Questions: Be prepared to answer and discuss these questions when we return to class.
1. The large-scale migration of young, single women to urban areas that occurred in the late 19th and early 20th century is a
major theme in The Devil in the White City. What factors motivated these women to move? What made them so susceptible
to the nefarious intent of someone like Dr. H.H. Holmes?
2. As described in The Devil in the White City, explain the major problems of urban life in American cities such as Chicago in
the 1890s. How and why were these cities changing?
3. As The Devil in the White City notes, the Columbian Expedition of 1893 was the major story dominating US headlines for
over a year. Francis J. Bellemy wrote “The Pledge of Allegiance” for students to recite on the dedication of the fair.
Why
was the success of this fair deemed so important to the United States and especially the city of Chicago?
4. What factors enabled Dr. H.H. Holmes to get away with his crimes for as long as he did?
Part Two Reading Journal:
While reading, you will be required to keep a reading journal for every chapter of the book. For each chapter, your
journal should include:
1. THESIS/MAIN IDEA: What is the author’s thesis or main point for the chapter? What is the author trying to prove to
you in this chapter? (This is often found in the introduction of the chapter and revisited at the conclusion.)
2. GENERAL NOTES: following the events or argument the author puts forth – remember the S word in history:
SIGNIFICANCE! What was the significance of what you wrote down – if you don’t know, you probably shouldn’t have
written the note.
3. REFLECTION: At the end of the chapter – in your own words – briefly describe the events that unfolded-what
questions do you still have about the chapter?
Important Note: Below is a statement that you must sign that verifies that the work you do in responding to the
previous questions is your original work and that you received no assistance from any person nor book review nor
electronic media.
My signature below verifies that the work contained herein is my own and that I received no assistance from any
other source.
Student Signature ___________________________ Date __________________
Book Journal Rubric
This rubric will be used to grade the Summer Reading Book Journals. It is strongly recommended that the criteria
listed in this rubric are followed closely to assure the best possible score.
Excellent
• Entries are detailed with a sense of completeness
• Specific evidence from book support the topic for each entry when necessary
• Detailed understanding of book demonstrated in journal
• Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is correct
• Entries show evidence of reflection about what you’ve read
• You always attempted deeper thinking in your writing
Good
•
•
•
•
•
•
Entries have several details from the book
Specific evidence from book relate to the topic for each entry when necessary
Understanding of book demonstrated in journal
Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is mostly correct
Entries include some reflection about what you’ve read
You usually attempted deeper thinking in your writing
Average
• Entries have at least one specific detail from the book
• Specific evidence from book usually relate to the topic for each entry when necessary
• Limited understanding of book demonstrated in journal
• Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization has frequent errors
• Your journal has too many summaries and not enough reflection
• Entries show very little reflection about what you’ve read
• Minimal attempts at deeper thinking in your writing
Not Acceptable
• Entries do not always have details from the book
• Specific evidence from book are not on topic for each entry when necessary
• Little or no understanding of book demonstrated in journal
• Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization has numerous mistakes
• Your journal has no reflective writing on what you’ve read
• Entries are confusing and do not make sense
• No attempt or evidence of deeper thinking in your writing