The Silence of the Lambs
Narrative
The Silence of the Lambs follows Tzvetan Todorov's theory on narrative, as it is a conventional Thriller structured into five stages.
Stage 1: A state of equilibrium at the outset.
Clarice, an FBI agent in training is assigned the task of obtaining clues from the cannibal, Hannibal Lecter, about the serial killer dubbed Buffalo Bill. Clarice struggles to get anything out of Hannibal, however, they begin to form a slight relationship.
Stage 2: A disruption of the equilibrium by some action.
The body of a girl is found in a river, the FBI knows that it is the doing of Buffalo Bill. The feds work on the autopsy on the autopsy to find Bill's calling card - a moth that blooms in the victims mouth. Meanwhile, Clarice makes a deal with Hannibal Lecter to move him to another prison with a "view".
Stage 3: A recognition that there has been a disruption.
Hannibal Lecter agrees to assist the FBI and find Buffalo Bill as well as his most recent hostage. Hannibal is kept in a high security cell, however, he steals a pen from an officer and escapes prison by wearing the face of an officer. The FBI believe they have found Buffalo Bill, however Clarice is not sold yet and asks a previous victim's friend some questions when she figures something out.
Stage 4: Dealing with the disruption.
Clarice find Buffalo Bill and chases him through his creepy basement as he turns the power and lights off. However, he has night-vision goggles and can see Clarice. However, as he clocks his gun Clarice hears it and shoots him.
Stage 5: A reinstatement of the equilibrium (usually an altered equilibrium from the one at the start).
Clarice obtains her FBI license and Buffalo Bill is dead. There is now peace in the state from his murders. However, Hannibal Lecter is free and is "Having a friend for dinner", he walks into the streets of a tropical country as a free man as he pursues his dinner.
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