‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer’ Essay

Sskind allows similarities to be drawn between Grenouille and the Biblical figure, Satan, in order to strain Grenouille from the mass of humanity this corresponds with the groundwork of Existentialism in the fiction. In terms of the Bible, Satan, or the Devil, was initially an angel that resided at Gods right-hand, who later conspired to become self-governing and consequently was condemned to blazing on earth to be rejected and fe ared by humankind. Grenouille, by choice and his disrespect for humankind, lived isolated in a mountain in Grasse. The narrator withdraws typical instances of reasoning for insulate ones self in order to enhance the distinction of Grenouilles reasoning, We are familiar of people who seek out solitude penitents, failures, saints or prophetsThey do this to be nearer to GodThey act in the belief that they are living a life nearer to God. Sskind creates this seed to God in conjunction with humanity, allowing the reader to register that the society in the novel is God-fearing, and hence inferior to the said creator. After establishing this, the narrator goes on to describe Grenouilles reason for solitude. Grenouilles case was nothing of the sort. There was not the least notion of God in his headhe basked in his make existence and found it splendid. This allows the reader to understand Grenouilles reasoning is self-motivated and self-absorbed, this is unique. He isolated himself to be with himself and without purpose to God or humanity this is teetotal as the Bible states solitude is for God this similarly mimics the generally adopted attitude of the Biblical Devil, encapsulating qualities such as individualism and the ability to be self-governing. It is the mentioned qualities that are related to Existentialism without out value or rule from God, Grenouille is self-determining, and hence transcends humanity and seperates himself from it, as humanity is on the contrary.The location setting during this time is applicable to G renouilles association to the Devil The Devil is known to reside in the 7th layer of Hell Grenouille resides isolated in the godforsaken wilderness for 7 years without creature comforts the icy and inhumane atmosphere of both the Christian Hell and the mountain in Grasse can be bidned to each other. These comparisons and contrast in the books allow the theme of existentialism to become apparent as it high electric arcs Grenouilles self-governing nature in his isolated habitat. This differentiates Grenouille as it appears this quality of preferring coercive solitude that moreover he possesses. His want for separation highlights his superiority to Humanity this even foreshadows the immense power he will develop as the novel progresses due to his olfactory sense. Grenouille is determined by his desire, not by circumstance, whereas God determines humanity in the novel.Another example that likens him to Satan and God simultaneously is when Grenouille successfully concocts mimicry o f human scent and becomes inadvertently accepted by the people. This completion of this task exposes his complete supremacy of humanity through creation, like God, and his still-existing contempt for humanity, like Satan. Grenouille celebrates, a wicked feeling of triumph that set him quivering and excited him like an attack of lechery, and he had trouble keeping from spurting it like venom and spleen all over these peoplehis contempt for them was profoundbecause they were so dumb they stank (page 154). The use of the simile suggests his excitement is sinful he intends to use his new power to conduct evil things. In this instance, Sskind is again pertaining Grenouille to Satan. The further use of such words as venom, wicked and spleen fictionalize Grenouilles evil feelings, emphasizing how he detests humanity, again a mimicking quality of the Devil.In this quote, Sskind suggests possessing a scent is to be stupid, and furthermore to be a part of humanity Grenouille realizes tha t he possesses neither of these things, emphasizing their polarity, as this deems him superior to humankind. As it is stated in the bible, And no wonder For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 1114, this statement pertains to Satan having the ability to disguise himself and fool humankind. Similarly, Grenouille does exactly this by mimicking the human scent and gaining their acceptance in order to bring out his evil intentions. Through allusions to the Biblical figure of the Devil, Sskind compares Grenouille to him, allowing the Grenouille to have similar associations to the Devil and hence emphasizing his differentiation from humanity through contempt and rejection.In contrast, Sskind further alters the Grenouilles discrimination from humanity as the characters gains more power through the sovereignty of scent, allowing him to be more closely compared to God. The novel highlights that scent is sovereign, ruling above all other senses and determin ing the quality of ones life, He who ruled scent ruled the hearts of men. Scent is similar to Religion in the novel Grenouille is the only character who recognizes its sovereignty.1 Peter 58 ESV / 11 helpful votesBe sober-minded be watchful. Your adversary the rile prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.And no wonder For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 1114 There was only one thing the perfume could not do. It could not turn him into a person who could love and be loved like everyone else. So, to hell with it he thought. To hell with the world. With the perfume. With himself