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
When Starling sees Crawford, she is still fuming over Chilton. She suggests charging him with obstruction of justice, but Crawford does not think that would do any good. After all, at this point, Senator Martin is on Chilton’s side. Crawford does his best to calm Starling down. He thinks there is still time to find Catherine, even if Chilton has made their job harder.
Starling and Crawford are in a difficult spot because of Chilton. Anything they do will only lead to increased scrutiny of the FBI—and of them, in particular. However, if they don’t act swiftly, Catherine will be dead. It is a tricky balancing act that Crawford is doing his best to navigate, and Starling is just beginning to understand.
Themes
Crawford tells Starling to go to Tennessee, where she will hopefully be able to speak with Lecter a final time. While waiting to meet him, Crawford orders her to search Catherine’s apartment. He hopes she will find something that previous searchers missed. Crawford’s plan puts Starling's mind at ease. She is refocused and ready to put his plan into action.
Again, Crawford’s willingness to repeatedly let Starling speak with Lecter demonstrates his desperation. He knows it is unlikely that Starling will dig up something new at Catherine’s apartment, so her trip to Tennessee is based almost entirely on Lecter.
Themes
Crawford buys Starling coffee, and, while they are out, Starling sees Barney. She calls him over, irritated because she thinks he knew about the bug Chilton planted. Barney assures her he did not know Chilton’s plan and expresses his concern about how Tennessee law enforcement will handle Lecter. Starling asks Barney if he will go and get her all of the drawings and papers Lecter left in his cell. Barney goes and does as she asks, returning a few minutes later. Starling thanks him for the favor and gets ready to leave for Tennessee.
Here, Barney acts in a way that he knows Chilton would disapprove of, which demonstrates what he thinks of his boss. Of everyone in the novel, Barney probably knows Lecter the best, and if he is scared, everybody should be as well. Barney’s repeated warnings about Lecter foreshadow that an escape attempt could soon come.
Themes
