Books Quote by Thomas Harris
““A paperback book was wrapped around Barney's massive index finger as he held his place.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris, 1988
A vivid description of a character’s nervous habit, using a book as a physical placeholder for his thoughts.
In simple terms: A book is used as a finger prop while reading.
Key Takeaway
Notice small nervous habits.
Themes
nervousness
reading
character detail
Mood
tension
curiosity
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- library
- courtroom
- interrogation
- personal anxiety
Key Concepts
psychology
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this habit reveal about the character?
- How does the object reflect his mental state?
A Different Perspective
The description may distract from deeper plot points.
![“[T]here is no consensus in the psychiatric community that Dr. Lecter should be termed a man. He has long been regarded by his professional peers in psychiatry, many of whom fear his acid pen in the professional journals, as something entirely Other. For convenience, they term him “monster”.” quote by Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37c/thomas-harris-1874_lecter-termed_t-here-is-no-consensus-in-the-psychiatri_27085.jpg)
