Monsieur Grimal Character Analysis in Perfume

The tanner whom Madame Gaillard sells Grenouille to as cheap labor. Grimal treats Grenouille little better than a domestic animal, valued only for how much work he's capable of completing. Grenouille remains in his service from age eight to fifteen, and after Grenouille is released from his service, Grimal drowns in the Seine.

Monsieur Grimal Character Timeline in Perfume

The timeline below shows where the character Monsieur Grimal appears in Perfume. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Madame Gaillard walks Grenouille to the tanner Grimal, who is always in need of cheap labor to do the most dangerous parts of... (full context)

Growing Up and Becoming Human Theme Icon

Creative Genius vs. Convention and Assimilation Theme Icon

Grenouille understands immediately that Monsieur Grimal only values Grenouille's life as long as it's useful to him, and Grenouille never resists... (full context)

Beginning at age 12, Grimal allows Grenouille time to himself every week to explore the city. Grenouille "the tick" feels... (full context)

...Baldini heads downstairs to answer it himself. Outside is Grenouille, cowering, with goatskins from Monsieur Grimal. (full context)

The next morning, Baldini goes to Grimal, pays for the goat leather, and invites Grimal to share wine and negotiate Baldini's purchase... (full context)

Grimal, convinced he's just made the best deal of his life, continues drinking throughout the day.... (full context)

As Grimal's body flows under the Pont-au-Change, Grenouille is going to bed in a bunk in a... (full context)

...and if his disgust at them isn't quite enough, he thinks about the smell of Grimal's tannery or the stench of thousands of Parisians in the summer. Finally his hate explodes,... (full context)

...the Great pours himself a glass. Daily, he drinks a scent he collected while in Grimal's service, on the first night Grenouille went out to explore Paris without permission. This scent... (full context)