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Chapter 5
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 day after Starling turns in her report on Lecter, she receives a message from Crawford congratulating her on her good work. Crawford gives her permission to pursue the lead on the Raspail car. The following day, while training at the firing range, Starling asks her instructor, Brigham, how to trace a car's registration only using the serial number and make. Brigham provides her with some advice and also complements her shooting. In fact, he makes a point to mention Starling’s shooting to the entire class and recommends that everyone else work as hard as she does. However, he also clarifies that Starling still has a lot to learn, so she shouldn’t get cocky.
Although an obvious gender bias in the FBI will appear throughout the novel, several men like Crawford and Brigham treat Starling like they would everyone else. Crawford and Brigham are stern but fair leaders who want the best for their students, regardless of gender. Without the support of men like Crawford and Brigham, Starling could not pursue the Raspail case.
Themes
Starling starts calling around to find Raspail's car. She speaks to a Southern man, whom she charms into giving her information. Starling is from the South herself, so she knows how to speak his language. Eventually, she discovers that someone has destroyed the vehicle, so she cannot access it. Still eager to pursue the case, Starling decides to set up another meeting with Lecter. She calls the Baltimore Hospital to speak to Chilton, but Chilton's secretary says he does not want to talk to her.
Although Starling is insecure about her background, it allows her to interact with people of a similar background in a way that would be impossible for her colleagues. Crawford, for instance, would be unable to get the information out of the Southern man that Starling did. Meanwhile, Chilton’s rejection of Starling shows he still is not over their last encounter.
Themes
