Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by TG (i) on February 14, 2001 at 19:49:13:

In Reply to: In the book posted by Randy Bey on February 14, 2001 at 10:29:28:

Good analysis, Randy. I think you highlight the crucial point of the book.

Hannibal Lecter is presented in the earlier books not as a character but as a depersonalised force, and being devoid of the normal attributes of human personality makes development of the character pretty difficult. Consequently the only way to achieve a "victory" for Lecter is along the path of his own brilliant but demented logic.

Starling becomes the ultimate victim and also his salvation as she is the first creature he has utterly destroyed, but also retained - in fact he has perfected his evil to the point where it has become an act of creation. This allows him to create the perfect partner - a woman in his own (and his sister's) image whom he no doubt wishes to one day take up his mantle.

Every teacher dreams of nurturing greatness and to be surpassed by your pupil is the greatest homage of all. It would be "bad taste" for Lecter to be captured or defeated by a lesser creature, but in Clarice he has moulded the perfect instrument for his own eventual destruction. One day, Clarice will consume Lector - that is why he praises her attack on him.

Cheers
TG