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Chapter 23
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
Still in the Baltimore Hospital, Starling calls Crawford to talk about her conversation with Lecter. She warns Crawford that time is running short, and she needs details about Lecter’s offer as soon as possible. Otherwise, she knows she will run out of time. Crawford shares Starling’s fear because recently the FBI confirmed that Buffalo Bill killed the woman found in West Virginia only three days after abducting her. As such, Crawford sends Starling a package with a fake deal for Lecter. With the deal in hand, Starling heads back down into the depths of the hospital to talk to Lecter.
This brief chapter largely confirms information that Crawford and Starling already suspected. Time is running out for them to find Catherine, and if they do not do so soon, she—and possibly many others—will die. Although Starling and Crawford are not so vain as to think about themselves when a woman’s life is at stake, their careers are certainly on the line as well. Crawford’s willingness to send Starling back to Lecter shows he is getting desperate.
Themes
