Dr Epstein
IB Lit Patrick Suskind influences Grenouille’s mood and character through other characters and concepts to demonstrate that there is no escape from society. Because the setting of the novel takes place in 18th century France, social class influences the population and most upper class do not care about lower class or how they feel. Grenouille’s opinion appears not to matter, because of his low class so this may be the reason for Grenouilles introverted state and craving for seclusion from society. Suskind promotes Grenouille as a heartless, almost animalistic creature, incapable of relating to others. Grenouille lacks a spiritual belief system guiding his ethical decisions, or in his case, lack of ethical decisions, …show more content…
Grenouille appears completely different than everybody else, and sees himself as so too. His natural olfactory ability combined with hunger for world domination and forced discipleship separate him from the others, but commonalities appear through actions and dialogue of other characters. What others do resemble actions Grenouille either does, or hopes to do. Suskind writes “he was planning soon to found an international lodge that stood above all social rank(157)”. This quote about Taillade Espinasse, uncovers a hidden similarity between Grenouille and himself. Within reading Perfume, Grenouille’s goals are made apparent and mirror those of Espinasse. Grenouille’s character is expressed through a line describing Espinasse, but also Grenouille at the same time. Grenouille’s character is seen again in another line, this time by Madame Gaillard. The novel states “ she [does] not grieve over those who [die], nor rejoice over those that [come] to her(19)”. The narrator's description of Gaillard parallel Grenouilles character, sparking a connection where there seemed like there wasn't any. In both instances, evidence through speech about a certain character, as opposed to dialogue spoken by the character, provides a useful connection to Grenouille, pulling him out of his isolated state, and returning him to