The Similarities between Famous Serial Killers: Ted Bundy, Hannibal Lecter

The Similarities of Serial Killers

Most people have a general idea of who "Hannibal Lecter" is. For those who do not, he is a main character of a well known book and movie: The Silence of the Lambs, by Thomas Harris. In the novel, Lecter is institutionalized for committing cannibalistic acts. There are a wide range of motives for cannibalism. Some cannibals are driven purely by instinct, others seek revenge, while some simply crave human flesh. Lector's acts are similar to those of Jeffrey Dahmer and his personality is most similar to that of Ted Bundy. The novel was inspired by detective Dave Reichert questioning Bundy and asking him to help solve what seems to be an impossible case: The Green River murders. Lecter shares the common qualities of a serial killer: intelligence, deceit and manipulation; qualities that not even incarceration can put an end to. Even through bars, Lecter is intellectually fortified to affect people. Like Reichert, FBI agent Clarice Starling is directed to obtain any possible tips he has for her in order to solve her first case: Buffalo Bill, Lecter's former patient. In the process of helping Starling solve her case, Lecter persuades her to reveal her personal life, when her intentions are clearly to keep their visits focused on business. Lecter is one of the most unsettling characters in modern literature and film. The fact that he is based on real killers and cases is even more chilling.

Cannibalism is not uncommon. In fact, scientists believe the need to eat other people is rooted in prehistoric history. A professor of medical anthropology at Manchester Metropolitan University, says "We now find that ancient man got a lot of protein from eating each other" (Wavell). Naturally, prehistoric and modern cannibalism differ by the change in times. Sometimes cannibalism was driven simply by hunger. However groups like the Easter Islanders, simply developed a liking for human flesh. Others' fuel for cannibalism are based on revenge and punishment. According to psychologist Michael Berry, "The pleasure of eating somebody would be the ultimate in playing God -not only taking life, but absorbing life" (Wavell). Starling tries to understand Lecter and his acts, but he simply insists "Nothing happened to me, Officer Starling. I happened. You can't reduce me to a set of influences" (Harris Silence 156). However, when Lecter was a boy, his younger sister, Mischa, was eaten by deserters during the second world war. Though none of the Harris's novels based on Lecter actually state that this serves as a motive for his cannibalism, it is clear that he is deeply disturbed by this; therefore serving as a possible motive.

Jeffrey Dahmer was convicted of the mass murder of sixteen people. He was finally caught when "a resident told police a crazy white man in an apartment not far away from his own held a knife to him and threatened to cut his heart out and eat it" (Smith Durden 201). The victim directed the authorities to Dahmer's apartment, where they made a shocking discovery. Inside they found five human skulls and a barrel containing three male torsos. As if these findings weren't horrific enough, they were in for another surprise when they opened the fridge. There was neatly wrapped (human) meat. The freezer was even more heinous, it contained a human head along with a box filled with male genitals. However, the officers' puzzling discoveries weren't so puzzling to Dahmer's neighbors. Many people claimed to smell a strong stench that emanated from his apartment, or heard the buzzsaw he used to sever his victims' limbs. Though these factors were odd, a lot of people dismissed their curiosities. However, Pamela Bass, who lived across from Dahmer was never neglectful. In fact, she consistently asked him about the smell. "I would go tell him, 'Jeff, something's stinking again,' He would say it was the rotten meat in his freezer. He even bought a bunch of Pine Sol once like he was really going to get rid of it this time. But it didn't help" (Wilkerson). Once the enigma of Jeffrey Dahmer was brought to light, not many people could say they were surprised, it only made sense to them now.

In comparison to Dahmer, Lecter was also arrested for serial killing involving cannibalism. "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti" (The Silence of the Lambs). In Harris's last novel of the Lecter series, Hannibal, Lecter consumes the brain of one of Starling's associated agents. What proves to be far more disturbing than his acts alone, is his lack of remorse. Lecter has no shame in his acts; in fact he was quite open, if not proud of them. "On a similar note I must confess to you, I'm giving very serious thought... to eating your wife" he taunts an officer in Hannibal (228). His tantalizing and unpredictable manner adds to his ambiguous energy, which enables him to install fear in anyone, not just his victims. His pride and absence of contrition is what also categorizes him as a bloodthirsty driven cannibal.

Despite Bundy's former defense attorney recently bringing to light that Bundy admitted to killing over one hundred people (Smith Durden 66), only thirty six of these murders were proved and documented. Bundy was the last person one would have expected to be a monster. He was well-liked, charming, intelligent and alluring. His good looks and charisma are what swindled numerous young women out of their lives. Yet, it wasn't just magnetism; he repeatedly lured women into his possession. For instance, putting his arm in a sling while walking around Washington lakeside resort asking women if they would help him load his sailboat onto the roof of his car, is what resulted in the scattered remains of three women found a few miles from the resort two months later (Smith Durden 67). He was prepared to stand trial in Colorado, but then he escaped twice. Ann Rule, a close friend of Bundy holds his broadened intelligence responsible for his escape.

He had, indeed, become con-wise, gleaning whatever bits of information he

needed from the men who shared his cell blocks. He was smarter by far than any

of them, smarter than most of his jailers, and the drive that had once spurred him on to be a success in the straight world had gradually redirected itself until it

focused on only one thing: escape -permanent and lasting freedom, even though

he would be, perhaps, the most hunted man in the United States, (Rule 5).

She was right. After forty days of searching across the country, Bundy was finally caught in Florida where he was living as "Chris Hagen." With his capture, officials discovered three young women, all brutally beaten. Similar to Bundy, Lecter's escape from jail also included living under an alias in a new area. Though Starling successfully solved the Buffalo Bill case with his help, her new priority became finding Lecter. Towards the end of the novel, he telephones her to speak upon her success in solving the case. She insists on knowing where he is but he cuts her short by saying "I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye" (Harris Silence 368), demonstrating he is already back to his game of hunt and kill.

Amongst other serial killers, Ted Bundy influenced The Silence of the Lambs. The book was inspired by Bundy and detective Dave Reichert, who had been working the case of the Green River killer with no promising leads. Reichert took Ted Bundy up on his offer of help. Together, the two shared the investigation of the Green River murders. Bundy gave Reichert pointers just like Lecter gave Starling hers. Reichert claimed to seek Bundy's aid based on the similarities between he and Green River killer: Gary Ridgway. Speaking of Ridgway Reichert states, "First off, there's no remorse, he doesn't have any feelings toward anybody, his family included. And that's what I saw in Bundy and what I saw in Ridgway" (Kershaw). His statement corresponds with Starling's reason for confiding in Lecter.

Starling is a direct victim of his mental corruption. When he first meets her he gives her an intimidating impression by challenging her.

You know what you look like to me, with your good bag and your cheap shoes?

You look like a rube. A well scrubbed, hustling rube with a little taste. Good

nutrition's given you some length of bone, but you're not more than one

generation from poor white trash, are you, Agent Starling? (Harris Silence 68).

It alarms her how easy it is for him to personally analyze someone he did not know in a matter of minutes. She tries to mention his cannibalism but he gives her no more insight than asking "Haven't you ever had people over and no time to shop? You have to make do with what's in the fridge, Clarice" (Harris Silence 69), referring to a time he held a supper and served human meat to his oblivious guests.

Lecter consistently tries to pick her brain during their visits. She made it clear at her first visit she was there strictly for the pointers she was sent to obtain, but she eventually develops a bond with him. Visit by visit, the conversations became more personal. Lecter kept digging until he finally got Starling to crack down. She admits personal details about her childhood to him. She told him how she crept down to the barn and witnessed the spring lambs, ready for slaughter, desperately screaming. She goes on to tell him how she attempted to free the pen but only one would run with her. "I thought, I thought if I could save just one, but... he was so heavy. So heavy. I didn't get more than a few miles when the sheriff's car picked me up. The rancher was so angry he sent me to live at the Lutheran orphanage in Bozeman. I never saw the ranch again" (Harris Silence 236). She was clearly distressed to admit this to him in such detail. He provokes her by asking "You still wake up sometimes, don't you? You wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the lambs." (Harris Silence 236). She admits she does, with tears in her eyes.

Since Hannibal Lecter is inspired by two of the most infamous serial killers: Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, it makes him a well known figure of modern literature and film. The combination of Dahmer's cannibalistic tendencies and Bundy's charm and guile makes Lecter especially disturbing. The Silence of the Lambs itself is influenced by Bundy and detective Reichert's combined effort in solving the Greenway Rivers, much like Lecter and Starling's on the Buffalo Bill case. Although Lecter was incarcerated, his intelligence found a way around bars. Through his and Starling's visits, he eventually makes her a victim of his mental corruption and creates a bond. Possessing an intelligence masterful enough to deceive and manipulate, not only makes for a dangerous and unstoppable criminal, but a memorable character.

Works Cited

• Harris, Thomas. Hannibal. New York City: Delacorte Press. 08 June 1999. Print.
• Harris, Thomas. The Silence of the Lambs. New York City: St. Martin's Press. 1988. Print.
• Kershaw, Sarah. "21-Year Hunt for Killer Shapes Man and Family." The New York Times. New York City. 7 November 2003. Web. 12 April 2016.
• Rule, Ann. The Stranger Beside Me. New York City: W. W. Norton & Company. 1980. Print.
• The Silence of the Lambs. Dir. Jonathan Demme. Orion Pictures, February 14, 1991. Film.
• Smith Durden, Jo. 100 Most Infamous Criminals. London: Arcturus Publishing, 2003. Print. Wavell, Stewart. "If you've got cannibalism on the brain, you're in trouble." Newspaper Source Plus.
• Sunday Times, The. 07 December 2003. Web. 03 April 2016.
• Wilkerson, Isabel. "Parts of Many Bodies Found In a Milwaukee Apartment." The New York Times. New York City. 24 July 1991. Web.

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