Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
"The Silence of the Lambs" tells the story of a young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, who must interview a brilliant but cannibalistic psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, to catch another serial killer, "Buffalo Bill." The movie uses a lot of vocabulary related to crime, psychology, and investigation, like "serial killer," "psychopath," "profile," "evidence," and "autopsy." Learning these words will not only help you understand the movie but also broaden your English vocabulary in general. The film also introduces you to different American accents, particularly Clarice's West Virginia accent and some of the other characters' Southern accents. This thriller explores themes of good versus evil, manipulation, and the nature of identity. You'll experience a wide range of emotions, from fear and suspense to disgust and fascination, all expressed through powerful dialogue and dramatic scenes. The language used is a mix of formal and informal, with some characters using slang and colloquialisms. Pay attention to how different characters speak to understand the nuances of English conversation and the ways language can be used to persuade, threaten, or manipulate. You will also hear a lot of imperative verbs being used throughout the film, due to the law enforcement background. This film can be an excellent tool for learning English because of its engaging storyline, rich vocabulary, and diverse language use. Watching it with subtitles can help you connect the spoken words with their written form, improving your reading and listening comprehension. The movie's emotional intensity can also make the learning experience more memorable. By paying close attention to the dialogue, you'll gain valuable insights into how native English speakers communicate in various situations, improving your own speaking and communication skills. This is a very quotable and famous film, so learning about it will help you understand English-language popular culture better.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in The Silence of the Lambs:
