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Chapter 16
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Silence of the Lambs, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sexism and Law Enforcement
The Nature of Evil
Class and Shame
Manipulation
Summary
Analysis
The morning after Buffalo Bill kidnaps Catherine, Starling hears about it on the radio. She packs all of her things, hoping she will get the chance to fly to Memphis. However, she has yet to hear from Crawford, and when she asks his secretary if he left a note for her, the secretary has nothing to report. Starling is disappointed but knows she cannot do anything without Crawford’s approval. Because she cannot work the case, Starling heads to class and tries to resume her normal life.
The fact that Crawford has yet to contact Starling says less about how much he trusts her and more about how hectic his last 24 hours have been. Most likely, he still hasn't spent any meaningful amount of time with Bella. Meanwhile, Starling knows what Catherine's involvement means for the case and is itching to be back in the field.
Themes
In the evening, Starling spends time with Ardelia and the rest of her cohort. Together, they watch the news and wait for updates on the case. The news broadcasts a video of Senator Martin begging Buffalo Bill to return Catherine. She talks about how Catherine is a wonderful and kind person who deserves her freedom. She repeatedly emphasizes Catherine’s humanity and repeats her name over and over. She also promises Buffalo Bill that she will help him in any way she can as long as he returns Catherine safely. After the newscast, Starling and Ardelia discuss its hidden messages. Starling notices that Senator Martin is doing everything in her power to ensure that Buffalo Bill sees Catherine as a human being rather than a plaything he can dispose of.
As Crawford suspected, Senator Martin is already more involved than the other victims' families. Whether her televised plea will do any good is difficult to know. Starling and Ardelia take note of the hidden messages, but will they work on someone as deranged as Buffalo Bill? This question returns the novel to one of its central themes about the nature of evil. Can emotional pleas sway someone as aberrant and dangerous as Buffalo Bill? Or is he entirely beyond being able to sympathize with his victims?
Themes
After her discussion with Ardelia, Starling receives a call asking her to meet Crawford at the Smithsonian, where Roden and Pilcher work. Before Starling leaves, Ardelia warns her that she should get Crawford’s help to deal with the various ways the case is cutting into her training. Ardelia warns Starling that she will get “recycled”—meaning she will have to redo much of her training—if she is not careful. Several important mental and physical tests are coming up, and Starling hasn’t had time to prepare for any of them. Starling assures Ardelia that she will do her best to enlist Crawford’s help. Then, she leaves Quantico and makes her way to the Smithsonian.
Ardelia is an important figure in Starling's life because she helps balance her out. Ardelia knows Starling is desperate to be out in the field, but she also knows what it could mean for Starling's career if she was recycled. Although Ardelia encourages Starling's fieldwork, she also wants to ensure Starling is looking out for herself. After all, this case could radically alter Starling's life for the worse, especially if the FBI does not find Catherine in time.
Themes
