The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Better to have it vanish suddenly, in a blaze of glory, than fall into gradual disrepair and dilapidation. There is no more melancholy spectacle than a festal hall, the morning after the banquet, when the guests have departed and the lights are extinguished. (3.20.5)

Why prolong the torture? Just end it. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.

Quote #5

"Let it go; it has to go, so let it go. Let us put the torch to it and burn it down." (3.21.8)

Mayor Harrison quotes Burnham in his speech on American Cities Day. He feels the way most do: it's really hard to face the reality that the dream is coming to a close. But even more painful would be seeing the White City lie abandoned and crumble to dust.

Quote #6

"If we cannot preserve it for another year I would be in favor of putting a torch to it and burning it down and let it go up into the bright sky to eternal heaven." (3.21.8)

In his American Cities Day speech, Mayor Harrison feels the way most do: it's really hard to face the reality that the dream is coming to a close. But even more painful would be seeing the White City lie abandoned for a year and crumble to dust.