RE: Discussion questions – Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer: Why does Grenouille never consider himself
- Why does Grenouille never consider himself or others in terms of their humanity? Aside from his supernatural powers of smell, are human beings ever this detached and cruelly inhuman?
- What is the closest thing Grenouille has to a friend in this novel?
- Why does Father Terrier take Grenouille quickly to Madame Gaillard?
- When the Marquis takes Grenouille in, why is it not really for Grenouille’s betterment? What is his agenda?
2. The perfumer Baldini would be the closest thing Grenouille has to a friend in this novel. Baldini cares for Grenouille when he is sick with syphilitic smallpox, at least out of a desire to protect a valuable asset. So, while Baldini certainly does not love Grenouille, the two have some semblance of a normal human relationship, probably the only one Grenouille has in his life.
