Giuseppe Baldini Character Analysis in Perfume

The perfumer who takes Grenouille on as an apprentice; Chénier's employer. Baldini is very concerned with upholding and maintaining order, both in the larger world and in the smaller world of creating perfumes in his workshop. He's described as kind, although often to his own detriment, but also treats Grenouille as little more than a fountain of brilliant ideas for perfumes. He uses Grenouille to save himself from the has-been perfumer he'd become and rises to European fame with Grenouille's formulas, though Grenouille isn't allowed to take credit for his work. When Baldini exhausts his uses for Grenouille, he grants Grenouille journeyman's papers and sends him on his way. Baldini dies that night when his business, which sits on a bridge crossing the Seine, collapses into the river.

Giuseppe Baldini Quotes in Perfume

The Perfume quotes below are all either spoken by Giuseppe Baldini or refer to Giuseppe Baldini. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Growing Up and Becoming Human Theme Icon

The man was indeed a danger to the whole trade with his reckless creativity. It made you wish for a return to the old rigid guild laws. Made you wish for draconian measures against this nonconformist, this inflationist of scent.

Related Characters: Giuseppe Baldini (speaker), Pélissier

Page Number and Citation: 53

Explanation and Analysis:

Baldini is on a mental rant against Pélissier, a rival perfumer, but he also rails against the changing times in which he finds himself. Here, Baldini specifically recalls the guild laws of the middle ages, which set out strict guidelines for the creation of perfumes. Following those guidelines, presumably, Pélissier wouldn't be able to access the success he enjoys in the mid-18th century, and Baldini would still be considered a successful and well-established perfumer. This passage also highlights Baldini's love of rules and regulations in general. He later insists that Grenouille learn to write out formulas and measure ingredients, which Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt.

Man's misfortune stems from the fact that he does not want to stay in the room where he belongs. Pascal said that. And Pascal was a great man, a Frangipani of the intellect, a real craftsman, so to speak, and no one wants one of those anymore.

Related Characters: Giuseppe Baldini (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 55

Explanation and Analysis:

Baldini is considering the changing times in which he finds himself, and he feels threatened by man's desire for progress, speed, and discovery. Baldini's entire monologue sets the reader up to understand him as someone who is very interested in convention and conformity. He takes comfort in rules and regulations, as they offer him power and control. Baldini isn't interested in breaking rules for the sake of invention; he'd rather things just not change. When Baldini takes in Grenouille, however, the reader watches Baldini slowly but surely embrace "leaving the room" via Grenouille's creativity. While Baldini certainly molds and channels Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nes

But he at once felt the seriousness that reigned in these rooms, you might almost call it a holy seriousness, if the word "holy" had held any meaning whatever for Grenouille...

Related Characters: Jean-Baptise Grenouille, Giuseppe Baldini

Page Number and Citation: 67

Explanation and Analysis:

Grenouille is delivering skins from Grimal to Baldini and is now inside a perfume shop for the first time in his life. Here, the reader is asked to consider Grenouille's relationship to religion itself and religious ideas in general. While Grenouille is said to have never understood words that signify non-concrete ideas, this alludes to the idea that he has some understanding of the ideas themselves if not the language that describes them. This also begins to draw a connection between scent, religion, and power. In Baldini's shop, Baldini (or Grenouille) has the power and ability to create scents. While Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occae

The tick had scented blood. It had been dormant for years, encapsulated, and had waited. Now it let itself drop, for better or for worse, entirely without hope. And that was why he was so certain.

Related Characters: Jean-Baptise Grenouille, Giuseppe Baldini

Related Symbols: The Tick

Page Number and Citation: 69

Explanation and Analysis:

Grenouille is in Baldini's perfume shop for the first time and is possessed with the thought that he belongs there. The narrator likens Grenouille to a tick throughout the novel, most often when Grenouille is a child and a young teenager. By comparing Grenouille to a tick, the narrator is able to build the narrative that Grenouille is not only ugly and a parasite of society, but functions and makes decisions based on little more than instinct and base desire. In this case, we see that Grenouille understands immediately and instinctively that he can learn everything he needs to know Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam of

Your grandiose failure will also be an opportunity for you to learn the virtue of humility, which—although one may pardon the total lack of its development at your tender age—will be an absolute prerequisite for later advancement as a member of your guild and for your standing as a man, a man of honor, a dutiful subject, and a good Christian.

Related Characters: Giuseppe Baldini (speaker), Jean-Baptise Grenouille

Page Number and Citation: 77

Explanation and Analysis:

Baldini has decided to allow Grenouille to try and create a copy of the perfume “Amor and Psyche,” believing full well that Grenouille will fail. This passage sets out a number of Baldini's misconceptions about Grenouille. While Baldini is certainly correct that Grenouille experiences nothing close to humility (and never will), he incorrectly assumes that Grenouille desires to advance in the way that Baldini lays out here. Grenouille comes to understand that obtaining journeyman's papers through the guild is necessary for carrying out his goals, but he doesn't wish to be a famous perfumer per se. Honor is also a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ip

... [he] looks just like one of those unapproachable, incomprehensible, willful little prehuman creatures, who in their ostensible innocence think only of themselves... if one let them pursue their megalomaniacal ways and did not apply the strictest pedagogical principles to guide them to a disciplined, self-controlled, fully human existence.

Related Characters: Giuseppe Baldini (speaker), Jean-Baptise Grenouille

Page Number and Citation: 81

Explanation and Analysis:

Baldini is watching as Grenouille sets about creating his copy of Amor and Psyche. Grenouille is a young teenager at this point, and Baldini begins to think of Grenouille as much younger and indeed, as a child. This passage as a whole highlights the novel's general portrayal of children as subhuman, or in this case, pre-human. By casting children as less than human, growing up and coming of age logically entails becoming truly human. In particular, the thoughts Baldini experiences about children here call Grenouille's later “coming of age” into question. While Grenouille does live to the age of 25, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum d

He believed that by collecting these written formulas, he could exorcise the terrible creative chaos erupting from his apprentice.

Related Characters: Jean-Baptise Grenouille, Giuseppe Baldini

Page Number and Citation: 91

Explanation and Analysis:

Baldini has forced Grenouille to allow him to write down formulas for the perfumes Grenouille creates. Baldini finds a great deal of comfort in enforcing rules and order, and dislikes unrestricted creativity and invention. Thus, he finds Grenouille's ability to mix perfumes without measuring them to be both terrifying and miraculous in turn. By writing down the formulas, Baldini begins to exert some control over Grenouille's chaotic creative process. This is also the primary way in which Baldini uses Grenouille for his own gain. While Baldini certainly could've allowed Grenouille free rein to create as he so chose, getting the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusand

But by using the obligatory measuring glasses and scales, he learned the language of perfumery, and he sensed instinctively that the knowledge of this language could be of service to him.

Related Characters: Jean-Baptise Grenouille, Giuseppe Baldini

Page Number and Citation: 92

Explanation and Analysis:

Grenouille has just made the move to work for Baldini as an apprentice, and the narrator is describing how Grenouille acquires the language of perfume. Remember that Grenouille doesn't need this language at all to make exceptional perfumes; his superhuman sense of smell is enough for him. However, to exist and move freely within the world and not raise suspicion, he needs to know this language, as it allows him to pass as normal. Grenouille understands that in order to accomplish his goals, he must exist alongside the rest of humanity. The acquisition of the language of perfume mirrors his Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Opt

Giuseppe Baldini Character Timeline in Perfume

The timeline below shows where the character Giuseppe Baldini appears in Perfume. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...This street was one of the finest addresses in the city, and the perfumer Giuseppe Baldini lived there. (full context)

Creative Genius vs. Convention and Assimilation Theme Icon

Baldini stands still in his shop, surrounded by a cloud of perfume he's created for himself.... (full context)

Baldini's shop doesn't have a cellar, so the entire four stories are packed with his wares... (full context)

Baldini cries for Chénier, his shop assistant, and tells him he'll be in his study and... (full context)

Chénier thinks that Baldini is no longer a great perfumer, despite how great he'd once been, and can no... (full context)

In his study, Baldini removes his coat. He knows better than Chénier that inspiration won't strike, as it never... (full context)

Rather than create a new perfume for the count, Baldini intends to copy Pélissier's Amor and Psyche. Baldini thinks of how awful it is that... (full context)

Baldini attributes his fall to Pélissier's reckless creativity, which leaves Baldini unable to keep up with... (full context)

Baldini laments the changing times, where speed is of the essence. He asserts that man doesn't... (full context)

Baldini stands at the window and regards the river below. The narrator states that Baldini made... (full context)

Baldini sits at his desk with a flacon (small bottle) of Amor and Psyche, and sets... (full context)

Baldini works for two hours and by then can barely smell anything, but he continues the... (full context)

As the sun sets, Baldini thinks that one day his last customer will die, he'll have to sell the shop,... (full context)

Baldini vows that he won't send someone to purchase Amor and Psyche in the morning. Rather,... (full context)

Baldini remembers that these are the goatskins for the count. He considers sending Grenouille back with... (full context)

Baldini leads Grenouille through the shop. This is the first time Grenouille had been in a... (full context)

Baldini instructs Grenouille to lay the skins on a worktable. Baldini inspects the goatskins and finally... (full context)

Baldini is perplexed and thinks that Grenouille is either possessed, an imposter, or very gifted. Three... (full context)

Baldini states that Grenouille has a fine nose, and when Grenouille replies that he has the... (full context)

Grenouille finally replies that he doesn't know what a formula is. Baldini explains sternly, and Grenouille states that he doesn't need a formula. He just asks to... (full context)

Baldini agrees to let Grenouille mix the perfume, saying that his certain failure will teach him... (full context)

Grenouille asks how much to make, horrifying and infuriating Baldini. Baldini finally asks for half a beaker, and Grenouille states that he'll mix it his... (full context)

Grenouille pours alcohol into the mixing bottle, horrifying Baldini from the start. In what seems like a haphazard way, Grenouille grabs different bottles, sniffs... (full context)

Baldini yells for Grenouille to stop and calls him a brat and crude, adding that Grenouille... (full context)

While Baldini sniffs the handkerchief in stunned silence, Grenouille asserts that the perfume isn't very good, and... (full context)

Grenouille again asks Baldini if he can work for him, and Baldini, still stunned, says he'll think about it.... (full context)

The next morning, Baldini goes to Grimal, pays for the goat leather, and invites Grimal to share wine and... (full context)

...under the Pont-au-Change, Grenouille is going to bed in a bunk in a corner of Baldini's laboratory. As Grenouille falls asleep, he dreams of a victorious entrance into his inner fortress... (full context)

With Grenouille working for Baldini, Baldini's perfumery begins its climb to European fame. The first evening Grenouille is tasked with... (full context)

While Chénier mans the shop, Baldini and Grenouille remain in the laboratory to manufacture a new scent per week, or whatever's... (full context)

Grenouille, the "gnome," as Chénier thinks of him, is responsible for this rise of fame. Baldini can barely keep up with Grenouille's creativity. Finally, he demands that Grenouille start using scales... (full context)

Grenouille is helped by Baldini's insistence on measuring, as it teaches Grenouille the language of perfume. Soon Grenouille is able... (full context)

Baldini instructs Grenouille in all the arts of being a perfumer, from soap making to sewing... (full context)

...speed, and fascinates Grenouille. The alembic needed to be attended all night, and Grenouille and Baldini would sit up, with Baldini drinking wine and telling stories. Grenouille doesn't listen to them;... (full context)

Once Baldini deems Grenouille experienced enough, he allows him free use of the alembic. Grenouille spends his... (full context)

Grenouille develops a high fever that after a few days develops into pustules and boils. Baldini is understandably worried, as he's considering opening a small factory where popular scents could be... (full context)

In light of these dreams, Baldini decides to do whatever it takes to save Grenouille. Grenouille is moved to a clean... (full context)

Baldini is distraught at this turn of events. He considers making a pilgrimage to Notre-Dame to... (full context)

Baldini sits all night with Grenouille. At dawn he gives up, but suddenly Grenouille speaks and... (full context)

...leave for Grasse as soon as he recovered, as an apprentice he's still a nobody. Baldini explains that technically, Grenouille is less than a nobody, as a proper apprentice needs to... (full context)

This would come to pass within three years. During that time, Baldini achieves his dreams of building the factory, receives a royal patent, and starts selling perfumes... (full context)

At this time, Baldini tells Grenouille he'll release him on three conditions. Grenouille must not produce any of the... (full context)

Grenouille sets out in May of 1756 with some food and money from Baldini. Baldini, a chronically kind person, requires nothing more than a small severance fee. He wishes... (full context)

Once Grenouille is out of sight, Baldini feels relieved. He thinks he never liked Grenouille, and all those years had felt guilty... (full context)

That afternoon, however, Baldini hears a rumor that the English have declared war on France, which interrupts a shipment... (full context)

Baldini falls asleep, never to wake again, as the west side of the Pont-au-Change collapses and... (full context)

...Grenouille returns to his pile of clothes. He performs the sniffing test he learned from Baldini and still smells nothing aside from the natural world he's inhabited for the last seven... (full context)

...and approaches the town. He wishes only to learn the methods of producing scent that Baldini told him about. After eating at an inn, Grenouille spends the afternoon wandering. He passes... (full context)

Giuseppe Baldini Character Analysis

Giuseppe Baldini Quotes in Perfume

Part 1, Chapter 11 Quotes

Part 1, Chapter 14 Quotes

Part 1, Chapter 17 Quotes

Giuseppe Baldini Character Timeline in Perfume