CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1. Jean Baptiste Grenouille’s Social Problems as the Cause of
Psychological Disorder
The main character in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Jean Baptiste Grenouille, is an example that describes how the social problems can affect
someones psychologically so that it becomes a danger that cannot left just like that. Grenouille is a character who is described as having a psychological disorder and
killed 25 women for the sake of his obsession. Grenouilles social problems experienced since childhood is believed to be the cause of the appearance of his
psychological disorder. Children should not be confronted by any problems during his development because it will affect his physical and mental growth. Childhood life
is considered as the most important period in the life of a human being.
In this sub-chapter, the social problems experienced by the main character Jean Baptiste Grenouille in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer will be described.
However, the social problems that will be described are not just the common problems, but more specifically to the social problems that can cause the appearance
of psychological disorders on Grenouille.
Social problems has slightly been explained in the Chapter II. A social problem is a condition or a situation that is contrary and not in accordance with the
norms and laws that prevailing in the social community and unwanted by most of the citizens and may damage, disturb, or even endanger the lives in the community. A
social problem that happens must have a certain impact, it could be a positive or negative impact. Social problems, according to Sociologists, sometimes required for
the development of the society itself in order to understand one with another in the society. However, it can also cause problems that lead to the existence of social
inequality that can make the situation in the society becomes not so harmonious.
The cause of social problems can come from anywhere and can have an impact that is not trivial at all. Besides the positive effects, negative effects can also
occur in the members of society, including the presence of certain changes in the persons psychological condition. Psychological condition of a person that
determines whether he is able to behave normal and appropriate to others. And the occurrence of psychological deviation in a person can disrupt the activities of his
social interactions in the community and can even endanger members of society . But, not all social problems cause negative effects on the psychological aspect of a person.
According to Davis, the social problems that can cause psychological abnormalities are poverty, relationships with family, family separation, differences in class and
social status, birth order, rejection, social discrimination, parenting mistakes, prejudice, etc.
The first social problem that can be found is the environmental condition in which Grenouille was born and spends half of his life in the city of Paris. Grenouille
was born in a market in the Rue aux Fers in Paris, under his mothers fish stall along with rotting fish guts. It is the place where everything is rotten, stink, and certainly
not a place for a baby to be born.
Here, then, on the most putrid spot in the whole kingdom, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille was born on July 17, 1738.
.................................................................................................... When the labor pains began, Grenouille’s mother was
standing at a fish stall in the Rue aux Fers, scaling whiting that she had just gutted
Süskind, 1986:4 The environment that described by the author clearly explains that the place
is a very bad place for a baby to be born. In fact, the environment has a major role in physical and mental growth of a child. A newborn baby should grow up in a good
environment to be able to help the growth and stimulation of its development.
Environmental factors that mentioned here consist of two types, namely pre- natal and post-natal environmental. Pre-natal environmental factors are the
environmental factors that can affect the growth and the development of a baby that occurred at the time the baby is still in the mothers womb. Examples of pre-natal
environment are the physical and mental condition of the mother during pregnancy and giving birth, and infectious diseases or other circumstances beyond the mother
that can affect the baby. While the post-natal environment is the environment that may affect a childs growth and development after the baby is born. Examples of
post-natal environment are: biological factors, circumstances factors, psychosocial factors, and family factors.
From the two types of environmental factors that can affect the development of the child that have been mentioned above, Grenouille faces almost all the existing
points. Since he was still in his mothers womb, Grenouilles mother has no intention to take care of him. This thought is definitely felt by Grenouille in a certain way, and
it can affect his mental state.
She only wanted the pain to stop, she wanted to put this revolting birth behind her as quickly as possible. It was her
fifth.
Süskind, 1986:5 The mental condition, thought, mind and behavior of a mother can affect the
baby inside her womb. That is why mothers are told to be careful not only with their behavior but also their mind. The physical condition of Grenouilles mother is also
clearly depicted by the author. Grenouilles mother said as a young woman who is pregnant and in an unhealthy condition. Of course, the health condition of a mother
who is pregnant may affect the condition of her baby.
...and Grenouille’s mother, who was still a young woman, barely in her mid-twenties, and who still was quite pretty and
had almost all her teeth in her mouth and some hair in her head and—except for gout and syphilis and a touch of
consumption—suffered from no serious disease,...
Süskind, 1986:5 Aside from the condition of the mother, factors outside the pregnancy of
Grenouilles mother also can affect the unborn Grenouille, such as hygienic factors and poverty. If a pregnant woman and a child live and grow in such place, it is
possible for them to have an infectious disease. Besides, poverty can also affect the pregnant woman and her unborn baby because that means that she doesnt get enough
nutrients for herself and her unborn baby. A pregnant woman should get the adequate nutrition for a maximum growth for her unborn child. Poverty that discussed at this
point is poverty that occurred before the French Revolution, where poverty is like a plague that attacks all of the lower classes in France at the time. Everyone should pay
high taxes even though they live in poverty, and this creates a pressure that drives
Grenouilles mother to do that unforgivable action, she chooses not to take care of her children that she gave birth.
Only later—on the eve of the Revolution, after several of the grave pits had caved in and the stench had driven the swollen
graveyard’s neighbors to more than mere protest and to actual insurrection—was it finally closed and abandoned.
Süskind, 1986:4 It is portrayed Paris that populated by poor dirty people with a stench that
barely conceivable to the modern people. Poverty afflicts many people, including Grenouilles mother and this dirty environment is a description of her life and how
poor she is. For the people at that time, it was common to sell their body parts for living, like teeth, hair, or even become a prostitute to make money. And for
Grenouille’s mother, she is described as a woman who already gives birth to five children but there is no description about the father of those children mentioned.
... who was still was quite pretty and had almost all her teeth in her mouth and some hair on her head and—except for gout
and syphilis and a touch of consumption...
Süskind, 1986:5 The circumstances described by the author about the situation and the state of
Grenouilles mother is not too obvious, but this description is able to make the readers understand about the reason of her action. The environment as outlined above
is closely related to poverty. Poverty is the next social problem that is found in the life of Grenouille that can cause psychological disorders on him. Poverty is a
determining factor before Grenouille was born and after he was born. For Grenouille who is still a baby, poverty is not directly have an impact on his psychological.
However, poverty is affecting his mother in taking decisions in caring for the baby
Grenouille that will later have an impact on Grenouilles psychological. Because of this poverty his mother decides to dump him without bothering to take care of him
until he grows up. She is so poor, she has difficulties even in supporting herself and with the occurrence of pregnancy on her, poverty makes she is unable to raise her
children in a way that is more appropriate. Poverty that leads her to a thought that the children born to her are not an obligation or duty that she must carry, care and protect.
It is almost impossible for her to raise children, with poor health and weak economic condition in which she is only a fishmonger who does not have enough power to
raise a child. Because of this poverty, she ignores her duty as a mother and has a thought to dump and kill her children. But not that she has no conscience or does not
want to become a mother, it is just if only she is able and has the opportunity she wants to have a normal life and want to raise a child one day. Therefore, with the
decision she made, poverty can indirectly affect the growth and the development of Grenouilles psychological in a negative way.
...who still hoped to live a little while yet, perhaps a good five or ten years, and perhaps even to marry one day and as the
honorable wife of a widower with a trade or some such to bear real children. . .
Süskind, 1986:5 The decision of Grenouilles mother to dump her children is caused by the
poverty she has and later caused a new problem for baby Grenouille, it is also caused him a psychological disorder, that problem is a family disorganization. Family
disorganization is a condition in which the occurrence of a disharmony in the family, which is the smallest unit of society, because they fail in carrying out their respective
duties in the family. In Indonesian society today, the term is more commonly known by the term broken home. The role of parents in a childs psychological development
is very huge and important, it should not be regarded as a trivial thing. And rejection obtained from the parents of a child has more severe impact than the various
problems that the child get from others. The family is a haven for a child in facing outside world that can be very cruel and dangerous.
In case that experienced by Jean Baptiste Grenouille, his mother does not want to raise her child herself as the other mothers. At this point, family
disorganization occurs. The mother does not carry out her role in taking care and pay attention to her childs growth. Grenouille grows into a violent person who does not
know the warmth of affection and love from his parents.
Grenouilles mother neglected her children not just once. Four babies before Grenouille was born were her victims. It is believed due to the cruel attitude of his
mother, Grenouille holds huge grudge against her and grows up to be a serial killer with psychological disorders. The bastard of that woman from the rue aux Fers who
killed her babies Suskind, 1986: 8
The next social problem that afflicts Grenouille is a problem that brings the most significant impact on Grenouilles life and his psychological disorder, which is
biological abnormality. Its not described how this biological abnormality appears and originate, this abnormality was never found anywhere and not normal and
reasonable. Jean Baptiste Grenouille is described as a man who was born without body odor and has the sense of smell that is beyond human in general. Its said that
he has no body odor, because literally Grenouille does not have any smell at his body. This biological disorder caused many social problems occurred in Grenouilles life
and caused him a psychological disorder.
He could not smell anything in his armpits, nor on his feet, not around his genitals when he bent down to them as far as
he possibly could. It was grotesque: he, Grenouille, who could smell other people from miles away, was incapable of
smelling his own genitals not a handspan away
Süskind, 1986:135 Grenouille himself claims his nose as the best nose in Paris, he literally can
smell anything, such as glass, irons, walls, etc. This extremely keen sense of smell that belongs to Grenouille is described makes him look like a weirdo. Not just weird
for some people, but also frightening because his abnormality literally never seen or experienced by the people around so it looks strange and not normal. Grenouille
never build a social relationship with anyone, he only answers the questions that asked to him. Grenouille has unusual behavior and he prefers not to blend with the
people. He spends most of his time working and immersed in his own world, the world of smell. As described in the novel, Grenouille is born with this ability. These
abnormalities even has been seen since he was a baby and it makes him grow in a state of alienation because people are afraid of him and assume the absence of body
odor of Grenouille is because he is possessed by the devil.
The child with no smell was smelling at him shamelessly, that was it It was establishing his scent
.................................................................................................... The child seemed to be smelling right through his skin, into
his innards. Süskind, 1986:17
With this biological state, Grenouille that is very different from most other human makes him receive other social problems, they are rejection, social
discrimination and prejudice among others in his surroundings. Since he was a baby, Grenouille is always considered unusual by the wet-nurses who breastfed him.
Many times they refused to continue to feed Grenouille because they feel there is something strange and frightening from him.
I don’t want any money, period,” said the wet nurse. “I want this bastard out of my house.”
.................................................................................................... “Hes possessed by the devil.” “He doesn’t smell at all.”
Süskind, 1986:10 The absence of odor on his own at first is not recognized by Grenouille
himself, but the people around him notice this thing and they always feel a strange sensation whenever they are close to him. The same thing goes to his super sense of
smell that is beyond other human in general. Grenouille who has never blend in with other people is always alone and spent his time to smell all sorts of things he finds in
his surroundings. However, because this case has never happened and is not a normal thing, people do not know the reason of his strange behavior. In the absence of body
odor and strange sniffing behavior, people think he is possessed by the devil and they avoid him. Grenouilles behavior even literally frightens Madame Gaillard who
known as a woman who lacks of emotion.
What made her more nervous still was the unbearable thought of living under the same roof with someone who had the gift
of spotting hidden money behind walls and beams; and once she discovered that Grenouille possessed this dreadful ability,
she set about getting rid of him.
Süskind, 1986:28 Because of such a magical assumption, Grenouille repeatedly experienced
rejections in his life. At a very young age, so many people who do not want to take care of him, many times he finally has to keep moved from one orphanage to another
orphanage. Even for a pastor, Father Terrier, he feels Grenouille is not like the other children, and he refuses to take care of him.
Terrier wrenched himself to his feet and set the the basket on the table. He wanted to get rid of this thing, as quickly as
possible, right away if possible, immediately if possible.
Süskind, 1986:17 Such prejudice continues until Grenouilles teen age. At this point, Grenouille
does not show any reaction to the social problems that he had faced, but although he does not respond it verbally, psychologically he indicates that the problem was very
influential for him and gives a very bad impact to his psychological. At his teen age, he is supposed to spends his time playing with other teenager. But in the case of
Grenouille, the children in the orphanage stay away from him and discriminate him because they think there is something strange about him.
They did not hate him. They weren’t jealous of him either, nor did they begrudge him the food he ate.
................................................................................................... They could not stand the nonsmell of him. They were afraid
of him.
Süskind, 1986:23 Grenouille spends his teenage years in the orphanage of Madame Gaillard,
after surviving the various kinds of problems and even various kinds of attempted murder committed by other children. Many social problems happen to him, but
Grenouille does not directly show the impact of those problems. As he grows older, Grenouille finds himself holding a grudge over what he got during his lifetime and
begins to have a huge obsession to control of the world, even though he have to kill innocent people.
In a special interview at the launching of the film version of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, when asked about could he understand the passion of
Grenouille to try to find this ultimate scent, Alan Rickman who acts as Antoine Richis-the father of one of Grenouille’s victim, Laure Richis, he said that like most
of other serial killers, the perpetrators must first be understood from the background of their reasons. Because if we do not understand that, then we will never understand
about ourselves as a society.
For whatever reason that may exist, Grenouilles crimes cannot be justified. Because of his behavior is a form of crime that endanger and eliminate the lives of
others. The causes can come from anywhere; physical, mental, family, environment, and others. As Lee Ann Hoff stated that there are more than one that caused a
criminal action. And that crime wouldnt happen if every individual in society, the family as the smallest unit of society and the people outside the family, can run their
respective roles properly. No man is born with an evil nature, but the things going on around Grenouille that make him become a man with heinous behaviors. Grenouille
is a product of what has been done by his mother and the community so that he grows into someone who is able to kill innocent people. Jean Baptiste Grenouille was
a baby, a boy, a human that never ever felt the beauty of love or being loved, survived from every obstacle that a little human could barely hold. This was the start
of the famous perfume maker in Paris. “A man who was one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew lack of gifted and abominable
personages.” Süskind, 1986:3
4.2. Jean Baptiste Grenouille’s Maladaptive and Atypical Behavior
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