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Chapter 39
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
Starling goes the Smithsonian’s Insect Zoo, where Pilcher is standing by the moth cages. He tells Starling that he and Roden identified the moth in Klaus’s head: it is a Death’s-Head Moth, which is named for the skull pattern found on its wings. It is a rare species of moth that is only found naturally in Malaysia. Whoever killed Klaus must have had the moths imported.
Moths are an important symbol in the novel because they represent Jame Gumb’s transformation. Specifically, the Death’s-Head Moth represents the violence he feels is required for his transformation to be complete. Because the species of moth is so rare, it should help the FBI narrow its search.
Themes
After Pilcher gives Starling this information, he tries to engage in small talk with her. However, Starling is too busy and has too much on her mind. She promises she will return and get to know Pilcher better after the case ends and she has less to do. Pilcher understands and shows her out of the museum. Before she goes, he hands her a file with everything she needs to know about the Death’s-Head Moth.
Although Pilcher chooses odd times to flirt, he is never pushy with Starling and respects her. Additionally, he knows what information she needs to help with the case, making him a valuable ally. Whether Starling actually means to come to see Pilcher after the case ends is still unclear.
Themes
