|
|
An Evil Genius: Dr. Hannibal Lecter Exploration of a Serial Killer Often times in society there are individuals who are criminals, but they have a high degree of intellect. In many occurrences, human beings develop psychotic or behavioural problems based on happenings from their troubled childhood. In many cases, they may be regarded as respectful individuals before information is revealed about the crimes they have committed. Many psychotics have tendencies towards things such as sexuality, cannibalism, and other obscure objects. In the novels Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs, both by Thomas Harris, the author introduces the reader into the mind of an evil genius and develops Hannibal Lecter’s character slowly throughout the trilogy series. In Red Dragon the author subtly introduces Lecter as a highly regarded and respectful individual who has been convicted of unknown crimes. In contrast, the character in The Silence of the Lambs is more feared and described as a dangerous psychopath. Throughout the two books, Harris extensively develops the character using various techniques, which techniques include strong imagery, multiple plot lines, and a vast line of supporting characters. Imagery can be defined as “mental pictured and any other sensory perceptions that have been created in a text through use of its language.” The use of strong imagery is a vital technique that is required by the author to capture the reader’s attention. Harris uses this aforementioned technique to engulf the reader into a world of serial crimes. The use of imagery to present Lecter is in abundance in both novels. In Red Dragon, the character of Hannibal Lecter is introduced for the first time as an inmate of a maximum-security asylum, serving time for nine murders he nonchalantly committed. Instantly, a subtle, but vivid description of his horrendous deeds captures the reader’s attention and paints a picture of what his personality is like.
|
