Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Silence of the Lambs, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sexism and Law Enforcement
The Nature of Evil
Class and Shame
Manipulation
Summary
Analysis
Crawford and Starling talk about Lecter’s history. Before the FBI captured Lecter, he was a practicing psychologist who often worked with criminal patients. Crawford muses that Lecter likely let many maniacs free just for amusement. Crawford also reminds Starling that Lecter is responsible for the incident that disfigured Will Graham. Crawford wants Starling to talk to Lecter again, but he also wants to ensure that she goes in with the proper mindset.
Here, Crawford implies that Buffalo Bill could have been one of Lecter’s patients. Otherwise, it seems impossible Lecter would know about the cocoons. However, Lecter tends to know things he shouldn’t—like Bella’s condition, for instance. Crawford feels desperate, which is why he sends Starling back to Lecter.
Themes
Crawford tells Starling that Lecter cares more than anything else about feeling more intelligent than others. As such, he wants Starling to approach Lecter as though she is searching for theories rather than facts. Her goal should be to ensure Lecter feels like he has outsmarted the FBI, even if he hasn’t. Crawford feels confident that this approach will yield the most information.
Lecter makes his interlocutors feel like he is a complete anomaly of a person who is not subject to human feelings and emotions. While this is partially true, Crawford reminds Starling that Lecter has a very human weakness that she can exploit if she is careful.
Themes
While Crawford and Starling travel to Baltimore, Starling listens as Crawford makes a number of calls about Klaus. Starling admires Crawford’s dedication to his job, especially considering everything he has going on at home. Before Starling leaves Crawford, he warns her to make sure she does not say anything about the case to Dr. Chilton. Instead, Starling should tell Chilton she is working on resolving the Raspail case, which, as far as Chilton knows, is not connected to Buffalo Bill. Additionally, Starling is to tell Lecter she has a deal worked out for him, even though she does not. Crawford is doing everything behind Senator Martin’s back because he does not want her involved, and he does not want Lecter to get a real deal.
Crawford and Starling have to be extremely careful with everyone they interact with. All of the key players in the story—including the media—have something they want to get out of Catherine Martin’s case, and almost none of their goals are likely to lead to the best possible outcome for Catherine. Of course, Crawford knows Senator Martin wants what is best for her daughter, but he also knows she is emotionally compromised, which will lead her to make rash decisions. As such, he tries to keep his actions as secret as possible.
Themes
