In a novel, authors incorporate and implement symbols in their works in order to transfer more detailed ideas and meanings. deeper meanings to the reader; ideas that are richer than what they actually write. In the novel Perfume by Patrick Süskind, Grenouille, a strange character with an extraordinary sense of smell, sets out in search of his identity through various encounters with women and perfumery methods. The setting of this story, particularly the historical place and time, mimics Grenouille's life and can be much easier to identify with the book's inclusion of strategic symbols. Using girls, flowers, and perfumes as symbols surrounding Grenouille's life and experiences in the novel, Süskind illustrates the importance of this period in France, including historical views on women and the role of the Enlightenment. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The recurring symbols and metaphorical interactions between flowers and women reflect the pre-revolutionary period in France very well. During this time, women were generally considered solely for their beauty attributes and their likelihood of marriage. In this way, Grenouille's views echo those of the time, where his feelings towards flowers symbolize his thoughts towards women. Because of this metaphorical connection, he finds girls' beauty through their scents, while "the rest of the stupid stuff... doesn't concern him" (100). Grenouille's lack of interest in the non-olfactory aspects of flowers also serves as a metaphor to show his feelings towards girls. However, it is also a testament to how society of the time generally objectified women in a similar mansion. Additionally, Grenouille directly compares extracting a woman's perfume to extracting perfume from a flower, stating that "in the end it should be no more difficult than depriving a rare flower of its scent" (178 ). These ideas produced by Grenouille further present women as objects within society and establish them as mere articles at the disposal of men. The idea of ​​objectification is also present more specifically in the case of Laure, whose seductive traits not only attract the attention of many men, including Grenouille, but also cause her own father, Richis, to develop incestual thoughts to " lie next to her, on her, in her” (208). The fact that Richis' thoughts and emotions are almost out of control in this situation is also symbolic of the role women play in society, depicting how men have become so dedicated to finding a sexually mature and attractive woman. that no other factor, even blood connection, could interfere with their desires. Grenouille also treats the second red-haired girl he kills the same way he would treat a flower, waiting for it to bloom, which is necessary to produce perfume. In fact, he directly refers to the girl as a flower when he says that "the flower thrives there without her help" (179). Once again, the value and standards of women are lowered to a level that matches that of society, and in this case, the blossoming of flowers symbolizes not only the sexual maturation of women, but also the way in which women were only valued. when they were still virgins during this period. For this same reason, Richis wants Laure to marry as soon as possible to prevent her from being a possible target of Grenouille, knowing that..