Holmes

The way Larson incorporates such accurate depictions of history to tell his story is very skillful. The atrocities that Holmes committed seem too disgusting for even the most imaginative minds, yet they were real. And Larson utilizes those acts to not only weave an elaborate, almost-fictional story but also to accentuate certain aspects of the fair and of the times. Holmes was a symbol of the most horrible parts of the unstable city that was experiencing mighty growing pains. Chicago was fluctuating greatly because of great growth on top of shaky foundations, both literally and metaphorically. With those great gains came great pains, which Holmes took into one being.