Understanding a Human Mind: Clarice's Unexpected Knowledge Anonymous 12th Grade

Renowned psychotherapist Alfred Adler once said, “Man knows much more than he understands.” This means that although we might be rich in education, we do not understand much of what we know. The Silence of the Lambs brings insight to this quote on a much deeper level. In the novel, and FBI trainee named Clarice Starling is given the opportunity to work in the high profile case of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill. Through her journey she befriends cannibal and serial killer Hannibal Lecter, who feeds her hints leading to the capture of Buffalo Bill. Lecter leaves Clarice with many pieces of knowledge, but it is up to her to understand what the knowledge truly means.

In between interviewing Hannibal Lecter and examining bodies, Clarice Starling experiences many of Alfred Adler’s theories. In The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris, female protagonist Clarice Starling embodies Adler’s theories of social interest and compensation, as well as the use of defense mechanisms, created by Alfred Adler. Clarice Starling demonstrates the theory of social interest through cooperating with others and valuing the common good over her own interests. While examining the body of one of Buffalo Bill’s victims, Jack Crawford, the agent in...