Perfume The Story Of A Murderer Sparknotes
Introduction
"Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" is a novel written by Patrick Süskind, a German writer. It was first published in 1985 and has since become a classic of contemporary German literature. The novel is set in 18th century France and tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an orphan who becomes a master perfumer but is also a serial killer. This article will provide a summary of the novel and offer some insights into its themes and characters.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with the birth of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, who is born in a fish market in Paris in 1738. Grenouille has no body odor and possesses an extraordinary sense of smell. He is abandoned by his mother and grows up in an orphanage where he is mistreated by the other children. As a young man, Grenouille becomes an apprentice to a perfumer and eventually becomes a master perfumer himself, but he is also a serial killer who murders young women to extract their scent.
Grenouille's obsession with scent leads him to create an ultimate perfume that will make him irresistible to anyone who smells it. He travels to Grasse, a town known for its perfumes, to find the ingredients for his perfume. In Grasse, Grenouille meets a young girl named Laura, whose scent is the key ingredient for his perfume. He kills her and extracts her scent, but he is eventually caught and sentenced to death.
Themes
One of the main themes of the novel is the power of scent. Süskind explores the idea that scent has the ability to evoke strong emotions and memories in people. Grenouille's obsession with scent is a reflection of this theme, as he believes that the ultimate perfume will make him irresistible to others.
Another theme of the novel is the idea of identity. Grenouille is an orphan who has no sense of self or identity. He is defined by his lack of body odor and his extraordinary sense of smell, which sets him apart from others. His search for identity is a driving force in the novel, as he seeks to create a perfume that will give him a sense of self and purpose.
Characters
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is the protagonist of the novel. He is a complex character who is both a master perfumer and a serial killer. Grenouille's obsession with scent drives his actions throughout the novel, and his lack of identity makes him a sympathetic character despite his horrific acts of violence.
Antoine Richis is the father of Laura, the young girl whose scent Grenouille seeks to extract. Richis is a wealthy and powerful man who is determined to find the killer of his daughter. He is a foil to Grenouille, as he represents the power of wealth and social status in 18th century France.
Conclusion
"Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" is a fascinating and disturbing novel that explores the power of scent and the search for identity. The complex characters and themes of the novel make it a classic of contemporary German literature. If you are interested in exploring the darker side of human nature and the power of scent, then "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" is a must-read.