The Silence Of The Lambs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Chapters 8-11

Chapters 12-18

Chapters 19-25

Chapters 26-31

Chapters 32-38

Chapters 39-45

Chapters 46-51

Chapters 52-55

Chapters 56-61

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

During the investigation for Buffalo Bill, Crawford, and Lecter both act as mentors for Clarice. What do each of these men teach Clarice as she learns about investigating in the field? How are they similar and how are they different? Why? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Compare Jame Gumb, Hannibal Lecter, and the other inmates of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. How does Harris highlight the similarities and differences between the criminals? Why is Lecter afforded a heightened level of respect and civility compared to the others? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Clarice disguises her heritage and her impoverished upbringing to be taken seriously by her colleagues. How does her hypervigilance about appearances affect her behavior? What occurs when Clarice embraces her family history and her rural roots?