Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Devil in the White City, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sanity and Insanity
Modernity and Anonymity
Men and Women
Ego and Cooperation
Civic Pride and American Patriotism
Summary
Analysis
Prendergast senses that he is about to receive his promotion from Mayor Harrison. He writes a letter to W.F. Cooling, a worker in a newspaper building. He tells Cooling that when he becomes corporation counsel, Cooling will be his assistant.
Prendergast is mentally unstable, but he’s not harmless – he has a considerable ego, and is willing to treat other people as if they’re beneath him.
Themes
