124 pages 4 hours read

Thomas Harris

The Silence Of The Lambs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

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Essay Topics

1.

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.

2.

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.

3.

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?