Throughout Devil in the White City, Larson uses different characteristics and events to give the reader a wider, better idea of who Holmes really is, as well as letting the reader draw their own conclusions about characters that may not be as foregrounded as others. We are given hints on how other people view Holmes, including females. While he was described as rich and good looking, at the same time, he gives a look and feel, a sort of devilish impression. Larson writes of Holmes (in terms of relating to the devil physically), “It is a marvelously small ear, and at the top it shaped and was carved.” By selecting that quote, the information gives the reader an image of what Holmes looks like, as well as a clue as to how Holmes relates to the
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As it was early on in The Devil in the White City where Larson describes just simply the physical appearance of Holmes. He writes, “He walked with confidence and dressed well, conjuring an impression of wealth and achievement. He was twenty-six years old. His height was five feet, eight inches; he weighed only 155 pounds. He had dark hair and striking blue eyes, once likened to the eyes of a Mesmerist” (Larson 35). By this point the reader has a good, general idea as to what Holmes looks like. And in the presence of women, Holmes is a mesmerizing figure. Women adored Holmes and would fall over due to his appearance. It was unlike men to walk with such confidence in this era; women were so taken by it. Holmes was so easy to gain the trust of women, seduce them, and eventually lead them ultimately to their deaths. In addition to the simple portion of Holmes’ physical appearance, what is interesting about Larson’s initial description is what proceeds right after this line, Larson continues to say, “his eyes are very big and wide open, and they very are blue. Great murderers, like great men in other walks of activity, have blue eyes” (Larson 35). That line that appears is important because it is one of many hints, or clues throughout The Devil in the White City that Larson intentionally put in to plant the seed in the mind of readers into the true character of
As it was early on in The Devil in the White City where Larson describes just simply the physical appearance of Holmes. He writes, “He walked with confidence and dressed well, conjuring an impression of wealth and achievement. He was twenty-six years old. His height was five feet, eight inches; he weighed only 155 pounds. He had dark hair and striking blue eyes, once likened to the eyes of a Mesmerist” (Larson 35). By this point the reader has a good, general idea as to what Holmes looks like. And in the presence of women, Holmes is a mesmerizing figure. Women adored Holmes and would fall over due to his appearance. It was unlike men to walk with such confidence in this era; women were so taken by it. Holmes was so easy to gain the trust of women, seduce them, and eventually lead them ultimately to their deaths. In addition to the simple portion of Holmes’ physical appearance, what is interesting about Larson’s initial description is what proceeds right after this line, Larson continues to say, “his eyes are very big and wide open, and they very are blue. Great murderers, like great men in other walks of activity, have blue eyes” (Larson 35). That line that appears is important because it is one of many hints, or clues throughout The Devil in the White City that Larson intentionally put in to plant the seed in the mind of readers into the true character of