Format: Novel
Released: 1988
Written By: Thomas Harris
Run Time: 61 Chapters
Character: Clarice Starling
Thomas Harris’ exceptional 1988 novel is as suspenseful as it is cerebral. This is most often attributed to Harris’ masterful characterization of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Dr. Lecter is as suave, refined and intelligent as he is deadly. He is, essentially, the James Bond of psychopathic cannibals.
But it is the young Clarice Starling, an FBI cadet with a troubled past, who takes center stage in the story. As a testament to his storytelling skill, Harris uses the good doctor’s remarkable psychiatric insight to tease out the source of Clarice’s demons and eventually bring her to the full resolution of her emotional and psychological character arc, all while she races to catch a sadistic serial killer before he makes his next kill.
There is much talk of stoicism throughout the novel. A recurring motif in the story is the need for characters to compartmentalize their feelings to focus on the job at hand. Clarice’s superior, Jack Crawford’s ability to remain focused on the case while facing the imminent death of his wife, embodies this philosophy. This ties in directly to Clarice’s need to learn how to separate her previous experiences from her present situation, lest they cloud her judgment.
Plot summary of the 1988 novel The Silence of the Lambs continues below…
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The Silence of the Lambs: Story Structure Analysis
DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP
All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.
ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION
A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal. But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation, and must assume a New Role.
Clarice Starling, an inexperienced female cadet (the imperfect situation) in the misogynistic world of law enforcement (oppressive opposition), is doing her best to graduate from the FBI Academy (the initial goal). But when her mentor, Jack Crawford, asks her to interview Hannibal Lector at an insane asylum (the disturbance), Dr. Lecter instead offers Clarice an opportunity for advancement by giving her information on a cold case (the dilemma) allowing her to work as an official FBI investigator (the new role).
The Imperfect Situation: Clarice is an attractive young woman living in a man’s world. She has no pull in the world she navigates and is often treated as such. She is hyper-cognizant of this fact.
Initial Goal: Clarice wants to graduate from the FBI academy and become a special agent. Crawford’s request for her to interview Dr. Lecter is supplementary to her Initial Goal of graduating.
Oppressive Opposition: Clarice has been completely avoided by Jack Crawford up to this point. She is viewed dismissively due to her sex and attractiveness. Because of this, she is subjected to sexual predation by Dr. Chilton, Barney the orderly, Miggs the schizophrenic and the world in general.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: The novel begins with Jack Crawford summoning Clarice away from her training with an urgent message. This is a literal interruption of her life as an FBI trainee. When she arrives at his office, he tells her he has an errand for her: interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter and get him to fill out a questionnaire. Note how Crawford’s request for her to meet Lecter doesn’t change her overall objectives and therefore doesn’t constitute a Turning Point. The possibility exists nothing will come of her interaction with Lecter, and her life will go back to the way it was.
Turning Point One – The Dilemma: Start Time: After 2 of 61 Chapters (3.2%) – When Clarice visits Lecter, he toys with her for a bit then effectively tells her to beat it. As she’s leaving, Lecter’s next-door neighbor, Miggs, doses Clarice with a fresh batch of baby batter. This offends Dr. Lecter, prompting him to offer Clarice an opportunity for advancement to change her imperfect situation; he gives her the Raspail lead to follow. Clarice must choose between returning to her studies at Quantico, and following the path Lecter has laid before her.
The New Role: If Clarice takes Lecter up on his offer, she will begin working as an official FBI investigator.
Act Run Time: 5 of 61 Chapters (8.2%)
ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION
The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal. But when he receives a Reality Check, he makes a Commitment to his New Role.
Act Start Time: After 5 of 61 Chapters (8.2%)
Clarice begins working as a federal investigator under Crawford’s direction (the unfamiliar situation) but faces time constraints and bureaucratic stonewalling (incidental opposition) as she investigates the Raspail lead given to her by Lecter (the transitional goal). But when Buffalo Bill kidnaps senator Martin’s daughter, Catherine (the reality check), Crawford tells Clarice that Bill, not Raspail, killed Klaus, that he believes Lecter knows who he is, and that he wants her to talk to him again (the commitment).
The Unfamiliar Situation: Clarice begins working as a federal investigator under Crawford’s direction. Despite her aptitude, this is something for which she is still in training. The fact she is not fully qualified for the job is a source of contention throughout this act specifically and the novel in general.
Transitional Goal: With Crawford’s blessing, Clarice begins to investigate the Raspail lead given to her by Lecter.
Incidental Opposition: With her class schedule, Clarice only has a total of three hours and forty-five minutes of free time to trace Raspail’s car. Chilton denies her access to Lecter after Lecter’s neighbor, Miggs commits suicide (at Lecter’s suggestion). The executor of Raspail’s estate barely makes it to the storage lot in time due to having just returned from a week long business trip. When she finds a body in Raspail’s car, she must contend with a news crew trying to force their way onto the scene. This gets her taunted by her fellow trainees when it’s shown on the news.
Later, Crawford sends her to interview Lecter for the second time. Crawford then takes Clarice to West Virginia to print a floater (which, surprisingly, isn’t a euphemism for using the toilet). There, he uses a sexist ploy at Clarice’s expense to talk to the sheriff alone.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: Just when it would seem as if the FBI has gotten a handle on things, Buffalo Bill kidnaps Senator Martin’s daughter, Catherine.
Turning Point Two – The Commitment: Start Time: After 16 of 61 Chapters (26.2%) – Crawford tells Starling that Bill, not Raspail, killed Klaus, and he believes Lecter knows who he is. Because Clarice is the only one Lecter talks to, he asks her to question him again. Clarice agrees, committing herself to fulfilling her New Role as an investigator to the best of her ability
Act Run Time: 13 of 61 Chapters (21.3%)
DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION
The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of successes and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.
ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT
The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal. But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth.
Act Start Time: After 18 of 61 Chapters (29.5%)
Clarice pursues Buffalo Bill (the central conflict) and deals with interference to her investigation (intentional opposition), in attempt to convince Lecter to reveal Bill’s true identity (the false goal). But when Chilton reveals to Lecter that Clarice lied about the deal with the Senator, and has him extradited to Tennessee (the turn), Starling asks Crawford for permission to go after him (the moment of truth).
The Central Conflict: Clarice faces off with everyone standing between her and Buffalo Bill.
False Goal: Clarice attempts to convince Lecter to reveal Bill’s true identity.
Intentional Opposition: As Jame Gumb prepares Catherine for slaughter, Crawford’s sends Clarice to interview Lecter a third time. Chilton attempts to make her wear a wire. Lecter’s more intrusive and cryptic than ever. He toys with her and gets her to reveal the juicy details of her father’s murder. Nom, nom, nom.
Afterward, Clarice realizes Crawford is intentionally manipulating her. She returns to Lecter with Crawford’s made up offer of relocation. Lecter extracts more information from her in exchange. Clarice tells him about her life after her father’s death and that he was really a “night marshal” not an actual policeman. She also tells him about the slaughterhouse she was sent to as a child. Chilton intentionally opposes the FBI’s plan and contacts Senator Martin after hearing the whole thing on an illegal wiretap.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: Chilton reveals to Lecter he eavesdropped on his conversation with Clarice, and there is no deal with the Senator. Crawford learns Chilton and the senator have had Lecter extradited to Tennessee in exchange for information on Buffalo Bill.
Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: Start Time: After 29 of 61 Chapters (47.5%) – Having learned of Chilton’s manipulations, Clarice is fighting mad and asks Crawford for permission to go after him. Crawford gives her lessons on not letting her emotions get the best of her. Starling decides he is right and to focus her attention on stopping Buffalo Bill and saving Catherine Martin. She sees this decision through to the end of the narrative, even in the face of being recycled in the Academy.
Act Run Time: 13 of 61 Chapters (21.3%)
ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN
The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal. But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve.
Act Start Time: After 31 of 61 Chapters (50.8%)
Clarice follows Lecter to Tennessee to gain more information from him (the doomed plan), upsets Senator Martin and gets herself taken off the case (self-inflicted opposition) while trying to investigate the scene of Catherine Martin’s abduction (the Penultimate Goal). But when she learns of Lecter’s escape and Crawford tells her to go back to school (the lowpoint), Clarice finds a message from Lecter, realizes Bill lives in Belvedere, Ohio and asks Crawford to be sent there to investigate the first girl’s disappearance (the newfound resolve).
The Doomed Plan: After Chilton’s manipulations, Senator Martin agrees to have Lecter moved to Tennessee in exchange for information on Buffalo Bill’s identity. This leads to his escape. Fail.
Meanwhile, Clarice’s investigation in Tennessee gets her in trouble with the Senator and the local FBI office. As a result, she is sent back to school for a disciplinary hearing. Double fail.
Penultimate Goal: Clarice follows Lecter to Tennessee to investigate the scene of Catherine Martin’s abduction.
Self-Inflicted Opposition: Due to the phony offer Clarice made to Lecter, Senator Martin is convinced she is a naive nobody jeopardizing her daughter’s life. Clarice goes to Catherine’s apartment and deals with the Tennessee HP officers already on the scene. When she finds private, racy photos that may provide a lead, she is interrupted by Sen. Martin who accuses her of stealing. This leads the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations officer on site to order Clarice back to Quantico. Against his orders, Clarice visits Lecter where he is being housed in Tennessee. She lies her way into the building and finishes telling Lecter about her childhood, including the slaughter of the titular lambs.
After Lecter escapes, Crawford tells Clarice her little visit to Lecter has earned her a recommendation for suspension and a reevaluation of her fitness for service.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: Clarice learns of Lecter’s escape, and Crawford tells her to go back to school. Soon after, Crawford discovers the Billy Rubin lead provided by Lecter was a poop joke, and all the information he gave them was literally shit. Now back at Quantico, Clarice and her roommate discuss her failure with the case. Crawford’s wife dies. The audience learns what Bill has been doing, and that he plans to kill Catherine Martin the next day to harvest her hide.
Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: Start Time: After 46 of 61 Chapters (75.4%) – Clarice deals with her suspension from the case by studying the file Lecter gave her. After finding a message from him, Clarice realizes Bill’s pattern isn’t random, and he lives in Belvedere, Ohio. She goes to Crawford and begs to be sent to Belvedere to investigate the first girl’s disappearance, knowing if she fails she’ll be recycled and demoted to an FBI coffee maker in some backwoods office. Crawford agrees, giving her all the money he has on his person in lieu of an official travel card. Clarice has decided to stop Buffalo Bill and save Catherine Martin despite the personal consequences her failure would entail.
Act Run Time: 17 of 61 Chapters (27.9%)
DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION
The character engages in a final confrontation with the forces of antagonism to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.
ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT
The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal. But just when it seems All is Lost, he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.
Act Start Time: After 48 of 61 Chapters (78.7%)
Knowing she only has hours at best, Clarice attempts to use Bill’s first victim (the longshot) to find Buffalo Bill and save Catherine Martin (the ultimate goal). But when the FBI tracks Buffalo Bill to an address in Chicago, and Clarice is told to keep investigating in Ohio despite the fact she may be recycled (all is lost), the trail leads her to Gumb’s house just as he is preparing to kill Catherine Martin (the final push).
The Longshot: Knowing she only has a few hours, Clarice attempts to use Bill’s first victim, Frederica Bimmel, to find Buffalo Bill.
Ultimate Goal: Clarice attempts to save Catherine Martin from Jame Gumb.
Ultimate Opposition: On the morning of the fourth day, Jame Gumb is ready to harvest Catherine’s hide, but she’s smart enough to capture his precious dog, Precious, and use it as leverage.
Clarice tries to unravel the psychology of Frederica Bimmel to get to the bottom of who killed her. In doing so, she figures out Bill is making a girl suit. Meanwhile, the FBI gets a solid name, but an inaccurate address, on Jame Gumb.
Shortly thereafter, Clarice learns the FBI has tracked Bill to Calumet City and is launching a raid to apprehend him. Already in Belvedere, Clarice decides to interview Frederica’s obtuse best friend, Stacy. Her investigation leads her directly to Jame Gumb’s house where she promptly realizes he is Buffalo Bill. When she tries to arrest him, he leads her into the basement and a game of cat and mouse ensues ending with Clarice shooting him just before he shoots her.
Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: Clarice is told to keep investigating in Ohio despite the fact the FBI has an address on Jame Gumb in Chicago and is moving to apprehend him. She worries over whether or not she will be recycled. Clarice interviews Frederica Bimmel’s bestie, Stacy Hubka, while she mentally counts down the time to the Hostage Rescue Team’s raid. Meanwhile, the audience receives word that Jame Gumb is not in Calumet City, and the FBI’s raid won’t save anyone.
Turning Point Five – The Final Push: After 54 of 61 Chapters (88.5%) – Clarice rings the doorbell as Jame Gumb prepares to kill Catherine. She deduces he is Buffalo Bill when a moth lands on his shoulder, but he flees into the basement before she can apprehend him. Knowing Catherine is also down there, Clarice realizes she doesn’t have time to call for backup and follows him into the basement. Gumb kills the lights and dons night vision goggles, leaving Clarice at a disadvantage. But when he cocks the hammer of his gun, Clarice’s FBI training kicks in and she fires her pistol in the direction of the sound, striking and killing him
Act Run Time: 8 of 61 Chapters (13.1%)
ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION
Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation.
Act Start Time: After 56 of 61 Chapters (91.8%)
Having rescued Catherine Martin and killed Buffalo Bill, Clarice is a hero and all set to graduate from the Academy. She now sleeps deeply, sweetly in the silence of the lambs.
The New Situation: Catherine Martin is alive. Starling is a hero. Senator Martin owes her a colloquial “one”. Dr. Lecter says he isn’t coming after her. Everyone lives happily ever after… until the sequel. Except Chilton. Lecter eats him. Nom nom nom.
Act Run Time: 5 of 61 Chapters (8.2%)
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