Scent as Power
PerfumeHow Grenouille uses scent to control others, and the theme of olfactory dominance.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingDiscovery of Scent's Power
Discovery of Scent's Power
The Red-Haired Girl
Grenouille realized that scent could inspire love and desire. He wanted to master it.
Inner Empire
He built an inner world of scents, where he was the absolute ruler.
Ambition
Creating the Human Scent
Creating the Human Scent
Deception
Grenouille created a perfume that made him appear human. He could now move among people.
Testing Power
He mingled in crowds, seeing how easily they were fooled.
Contempt
The Ultimate Perfume
The Ultimate Perfume
Absolute Control
With the perfume of twenty-five maidens, Grenouille could make anyone love him.
The Execution
He demonstrated his power over ten thousand people. They worshipped him.
Limits of Power
Power Rejected
Power Rejected
Emptiness
Grenouille realized his power could not give him self-knowledge or happiness.
Self-Destruction
He used his power to die, rejecting the world he could have ruled.
Final Irony
1753
1763
1766
June 1766
