“Grenouille’s mother, however, perceived the odor neither of the fish nor of the corpses, for her sense of smell had been utterly dulled, besides which her belly hurt, and the pain deadened all susceptibility of sensate impressions.”
Analysis:
In this quote from Patrick Suskind's novel, "Grenouille's mother, however, perceived the odor neither of the fish nor of the corpses, for her sense of smell had been utterly dulled, besides which her belly hurt, and the pain deadened all susceptibility of sensate impressions.” - the reader is provided with insight into the mother's physical and emotional state. The description of her dulled sense of smell and physical pain serves as a metaphor for her overall numbness and detachment from the world around her. This quote foreshadows the tragic circumstances that will later unfold in the narrative, as Grenouille's mother is unable to fully engage with her surroundings.
Modern Relevance
In Patrick Suskind's novel "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," the character Grenouille's heightened sense of smell plays a significant role in the story. This quote highlights the contrast between Grenouille's acute olfactory senses and his mother's dulled sense of smell. In today's society, this quote can serve as a reminder of the importance of being in tune with our senses and the world around us. It can also prompt reflection on how our physical and emotional state can affect our perception of the world.
Example of Usage
In Patrick Suskind's novel Perfume, the protagonist's mother is depicted as being in a state of physical and emotional distress, leading to a dulling of her senses. The passage illustrates how pain can affect one's ability to perceive sensory stimuli.
Reflection Questions
In the passage provided, Patrick Suskind describes Grenouille's mother as having a dulled sense of smell due to her pain. This raises questions about the role of pain in affecting our perception and sensory experiences. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does physical pain affect our ability to perceive and interpret sensory information?
- Could Grenouille's mother's dulled sense of smell be a metaphor for emotional pain and its impact on our ability to connect with the world around us?
- How do you think Grenouille's mother's physical pain might have influenced her interactions with others and her overall outlook on life?
- Do you think there are other factors, besides physical pain, that can dull our senses and affect our perception of the world?
Similar quotes
“and Grenouille’s mother, who was still a young woman, barely in her mid-twenties, and who still was quite pretty and had almost all her teeth in her mouth and some hair on her head and – except for gout and syphilis and a touch of consumption – suffered from no serious disease, who still hoped to live a while yet, perhaps a good five or ten years, and perhaps even to marry one day and as the honorable wife of a widower with a trade or some such to bear real children... Grenouille’s mother wished that it were already over.”
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