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Why does Hannibal Lecter assist Clarice Starling?
Posted on 2/19/14 at 8:45 pm
Posted on 2/19/14 at 8:45 pm
The movie gives one indication for Lecter's motivation in helping Clarice Starling catch Buffalo Bill: He was offended by Migg's rude behavior, and he wished to help her out to make up for it.
However, I'm not convinced that this totally explains Lecter's willingness to help in the investigation. Crawford says at the very beginning that Lecter has been reluctant to help the FBI's Behavior Science Unit by filling out the questionnaire. In fact, of all the incarcerated serial killers, Lecter is the only one holding out.
My theory: Does the Buffalo Bill killings strike a nerve for Lecter? Perhaps, he becomes somewhat reformed and desires to make a positive contribution to society?
True he does kill his captors in Memphis, and Hannibal (film) implies that he murders a museum curator in order to take his job. But for the most part, Lecter is very non-violent between the events of Silence and Hannibal.
Has he finally learned to compartmentalize and restrain his serial killer instincts in order to be a model citizen again?
However, I'm not convinced that this totally explains Lecter's willingness to help in the investigation. Crawford says at the very beginning that Lecter has been reluctant to help the FBI's Behavior Science Unit by filling out the questionnaire. In fact, of all the incarcerated serial killers, Lecter is the only one holding out.
My theory: Does the Buffalo Bill killings strike a nerve for Lecter? Perhaps, he becomes somewhat reformed and desires to make a positive contribution to society?
True he does kill his captors in Memphis, and Hannibal (film) implies that he murders a museum curator in order to take his job. But for the most part, Lecter is very non-violent between the events of Silence and Hannibal.
Has he finally learned to compartmentalize and restrain his serial killer instincts in order to be a model citizen again?
8
Posted on 2/19/14 at 8:48 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
I think he found both the murders and Clarice herself interesting.
Remember, he asked her questions about herself.
Remember, he asked her questions about herself.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 8:57 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
He's intrigued by her naivete'/goodness
Posted on 2/19/14 at 9:02 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
I thought it was because grew to like her demeanor, appreciate her candor and respect her ability and sincerity as opposed to the other bullshitters and manipulators.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 9:07 pm to USMCTiger03
quote:
the other bullshitters and manipulators.
yeah, i always thought part of his motivation was to spite chilton, who he hated and refused to cooperate with.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 9:13 pm to pussywillows
Lecter has always intrigued me. Especially because none of his murders had a sexual component. That's very unusual for a psychopath.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 9:24 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
Hannibal Lecter: "Plum Island Animal Disease Research Center." Sounds charming.
Clarice Starling: That's only a part of the island. There's a very, very nice beach. Terns nest there. There's beautiful...
Hannibal Lecter: [cuts her off] Terns? Mmh. If I help you, Clarice, it will be "turns" with us too. Quid pro quo. I tell you things, you tell me things. Not about this case, though. About yourself. Quid pro quo. Yes or no?
[pause]
Hannibal Lecter: Yes or no, Clarice? Poor little Catherine is waiting.
Clarice Starling: Go, doctor.
Clarice Starling: That's only a part of the island. There's a very, very nice beach. Terns nest there. There's beautiful...
Hannibal Lecter: [cuts her off] Terns? Mmh. If I help you, Clarice, it will be "turns" with us too. Quid pro quo. I tell you things, you tell me things. Not about this case, though. About yourself. Quid pro quo. Yes or no?
[pause]
Hannibal Lecter: Yes or no, Clarice? Poor little Catherine is waiting.
Clarice Starling: Go, doctor.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 10:17 pm to Hoodoo Man
quote:
I think he found both the murders and Clarice herself interesting. Remember, he asked her questions about herself.
Yeah, it's pretty much directly stated in the film
Posted on 2/19/14 at 10:24 pm to OMLandshark
He's already decided to help Clarice before she begins divulging information about herself. He agrees to share information regarding Buffalo Bill's profile during the second visit. He doesn't arrange the quid pro quo agreement until the third meeting.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 10:50 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
quote:
Does the Buffalo Bill killings strike a nerve for Lecter? Perhaps, he becomes somewhat reformed and desires to make a positive contribution to society?
I don't agree with this at all.
Posted on 2/19/14 at 11:56 pm to LSUFOREVERAMEN
He hadn't seen a woman in years, and an attractive young trainee amused him. I think Chilton remarked on it being clever to send a young woman to "turn him on", and while Chilton was rarely right about anything, that about summed it up. Plus, Lecter figured he might be able to get some privileges out of dealing with her, which he very much did. She was basically like a pet, or alternately, a butterfly with wings ripe for the plucking.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 12:02 am to LSUFOREVERAMEN
Occam's Razor answer: He was bored.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 12:16 am to Jim Rockford
I'm not saying that he's completely reformed. After Silence, he's still capable of murder. But his murder's are more pragmatic and necessary, as opposed to his more deranged, earlier murders.
He has to keep a low profile in order to avoid the authorities. This is easier said than done for a psychopath because they have an inescapable impulse to murder others.
At some point in his incarceration, he learned how to control these impulses, and I think it happened around or shortly before he met Clarice.
Remember, in Red Dragon, he was still trying to get revenge on Will Graham by giving the Tooth Fairy his address. Yet, he doesn't take any sort of revenge on Clarice, even for scamming him with the false deal.
Hell, he doesn't even hold a grudge against Clarice for that. Now, you might say he has a romantic attachment to Clarice, but I'm just skeptical that romantic feelings could get in the way of his psychopathic desire to murder.
He has to keep a low profile in order to avoid the authorities. This is easier said than done for a psychopath because they have an inescapable impulse to murder others.
At some point in his incarceration, he learned how to control these impulses, and I think it happened around or shortly before he met Clarice.
Remember, in Red Dragon, he was still trying to get revenge on Will Graham by giving the Tooth Fairy his address. Yet, he doesn't take any sort of revenge on Clarice, even for scamming him with the false deal.
Hell, he doesn't even hold a grudge against Clarice for that. Now, you might say he has a romantic attachment to Clarice, but I'm just skeptical that romantic feelings could get in the way of his psychopathic desire to murder.
This post was edited on 2/20/14 at 12:18 am
Posted on 2/20/14 at 12:36 am to LSUFOREVERAMEN
quote:
He was offended by Migg's rude behavior
I never understood why Lecter was punished for Miggs death. Even if he was overheard whispering to him, does his suggestion that he swallow his own tongue really deserve ridicule/punishment? He didn't force him to do it.
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