the sil;ence of thge lambs?

Question

what is the significance of the butterfly scene and what happens in it

Answer 1

The larvae changes into the butterfly by shedding its skin, the killer believes he can become female by skinning them and wearing their skin next to his, like a suit............I should get out more.

Answer 2

It is significant in several ways . As previous answers have mentioned it is linked to the metamorphois of Buffalo Bill and the change from man to woman by making a skin of female skin . It is also how they tracked the killer down , The first victim, Frederica Bimmel, had a butterfly lodged in her throat . This was a very rare species , a Deaths Head Moth , that had to be specially imported into the USA and by finding out who had imported them this led them to Jame Gumb the killer. Whilst Clarice was interveiwing friends of Frederica Bimmel she tried to track down a seamstress that her investigation had led her to . When she arrived at the seamstress's house she noticed a Deaths Head Moth and realises she has found the killer.

Answer 3

Also the latin name the Death's Head Hawk moth has allusions to where the bodies of the girls were found in rivers, which is more fully explained in the book rather than the film.The species names atropos, styx and lachesis are all death-related. The first refers to the member of the Moirae who cuts the threads of life of all beings in Greek mythology; the second to the river of the dead, also in Greek mythology; and the last refers to the Moira who allots the correct amount of life to a being.

Answer 4

I'm in agreement with the other guys. Butterflies are almost always a symbol of change, often a change from something ugly into something beautiful. Buffalo Bill thinks he can become beautiful from becoming a woman.

Answer 5

Lecter explains that Bill is seeking to change himself. He explains that "Buffalo Bill" is not actually a transsexual, but only thinks he is. Bill's obsession with moths stems from the metamorphosis they go through, caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. He has probably tried to apply for gender-reassignment surgery and been rejected.

Answer 6

I love this movie. A moth is found in the victims mouth and Hannibal tells Clarice that it symbolizes change, that Buffalo Bill wants to change.

Answer 7

The fact that it changes from moth to butteryfly, (change) or (metamorphosis's) thats what buffalo bill was trying to do change from a man to a woman.

Answer 8

it symbolises change and that Buffalo Bill wants to change too