Jack Crawford Character Analysis in The Silence of the Lambs

Jack Crawford is the head of the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI. He recruits Starling, an agent in training, to help him with the Buffalo Bill case because he believes she shows promise. Everyone who works under Crawford likes him and sees him as a great leader. However, he is not always straightforward about his objectives. For instance, he sends Starling to meet Hannibal Lecter under a false pretense, which he only tells her about after the fact. Nonetheless, Starling cannot help but look up to Crawford and treat him like a father figure. The Buffalo Bill case is a difficult time in Crawford’s life not only because the FBI is under intense scrutiny, but also because his wife, Bella, is dying of a terminal illness. While trying to catch Buffalo Bill, Crawford spends many sleepless nights by Bella’s side. Over the course of the novel, Bella becomes unresponsive and eventually dies, which is difficult for Crawford to endure. Many of his superiors believe he should not be working the Buffalo Bill case, and they eventually take him off of it. However, Crawford still works the case from behind the scenes.

Jack Crawford Quotes in The Silence of the Lambs

The The Silence of the Lambs quotes below are all either spoken by Jack Crawford or refer to Jack Crawford. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Paperwork. Clarice Starling’s self-interest snuffled ahead like a keen beagle. She smelled a job offer coming—probably the drudgery of feeding raw data into a new computer system. It was tempting to get into Behavioral Science in any capacity she could, but she knew what happens to a woman if she’s ever pegged as a secretary—it sticks until the end of time. A choice was coming, and she wanted to choose well.

Related Characters: Jack Crawford, Clarice Starling

Page Number and Citation: 3-4

Explanation and Analysis:

“Do your job, just don’t ever forget what he is.”

“And what’s that? Do you know?”

“I know he’s a monster. Beyond that, nobody can say for sure.”

Related Characters: Jack Crawford (speaker), Clarice Starling (speaker), Hannibal Lecter

Page Number and Citation: 6

Explanation and Analysis:

“Sheriff, this kind of a sex crime has some aspects that I’d rather say to you just between us men, you understand what I mean?” Crawford said, indicating Starling’s presence with a small movement. of his head. He hustled the smaller man into a cluttered office off the hall and closed the door. Starling was left to mask her umbrage before the gaggle of deputies. Her teeth hard together, she gazed on Saint Cecilia and returned the saint’s ethereal smile while eavesdropping through the door. She could hear raised voices, then scraps of a telephone conversation.

Related Characters: Jack Crawford (speaker), Clarice Starling

Page Number and Citation: 80-81

Explanation and Analysis:

That’s not a guess. He’s very likely right, and he could have told you why, but he wanted to tease you with it. It’s the only weakness I ever saw in him—he has to look smart, smarter than anybody. He’s been doing it for years.

Related Characters: Jack Crawford (speaker), Clarice Starling, Hannibal Lecter, Jame Gumb/Buffalo Bill

Page Number and Citation: 94

Explanation and Analysis:

To even mention Buffalo Bill in the same breath with the problems we treat here is ignorant and unfair and dangerous, Mr. Crawford. It makes my hair stand on end.

Related Characters: Dr. Danielson (speaker), Jame Gumb/Buffalo Bill, Catherine Baker Martin, Hannibal Lecter, Jack Crawford

Page Number and Citation: 181

Explanation and Analysis:

I’m as good as anybody you’ve got at the cop stuff, better at some things. The victims are all women and there aren’t any women working this. I can walk in a woman’s room and know three times as much about her as a man would know, and you know that’s a fact.

Related Characters: Clarice Starling (speaker), Jack Crawford, Jame Gumb/Buffalo Bill

Page Number and Citation: 299

Explanation and Analysis:

Jack Crawford Character Timeline in The Silence of the Lambs

The timeline below shows where the character Jack Crawford appears in The Silence of the Lambs. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...agent in training, leaves the firing range at Quantico and walks to Section Chief Jack Crawford’s office. Jack Crawford leads the Behavior Science unit of the FBI, which Starling has wanted... (full context)

When Starling sees Crawford, she notices he looks more haggard than she remembers. She knows the Behavior Science unit... (full context)

Crawford asks Starling if she knows about VI-CAP (the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program), a database the... (full context)

However, Crawford has something else in mind. He wants Starling to visit the serial killer Hannibal Lecter—also... (full context)

...all the safety protocols everyone must follow when in Lecter’s presence. Additionally, Chilton comments that Crawford is clever for sending Starling because Lecter has not seen a woman in years. Chilton... (full context)

Lecter examines the ID while sniffing the air. He is annoyed that Crawford sent a student to interview him rather than a professional. Then, he asks Starling what... (full context)

Then, Lecter brings up Buffalo Bill, a serial killer at large that Crawford is busy trying to catch. He asks Starling what she knows about Buffalo Bill. Starling... (full context)

Starling finds a payphone and calls Crawford. She apologizes for calling him in the evening and tries to tell him what Lecter... (full context)

Crawford sits in a reading chair in his bedroom facing two double beds. His wife, Bella,... (full context)

The day after Starling turns in her report on Lecter, she receives a message from Crawford congratulating her on her good work. Crawford gives her permission to pursue the lead on... (full context)

The next time Starling sees Crawford, he tells her that Miggs is dead. No one knows exactly what happened, but it... (full context)

Crawford changes the subject and asks Starling about the Raspail car. Starling tells him that she... (full context)

...and tries not to reveal too much. Lecter also asks Starling about her relationship with Crawford. He attempts to make her uncomfortable by asking if she thinks Crawford has sexual fantasies... (full context)

Lecter tells Starling that Crawford initially sent her to see him because he wants help with the Buffalo Bill case.... (full context)

...tells her to get her field gear because she is going on a trip with Crawford to West Virginia. Apparently, some hunters found a corpse that looked like it could be... (full context)

...important for her to know, though he warns her never to bring it up around Crawford. Doing so will only make matters worse. After, Brigham gives Starling some advice about shooting... (full context)

Finally, Starling and Brigham pull up to the plane she and Crawford are taking to West Virginia. It is a small twin-engine plane that looks rather old.... (full context)

...examining the pictures just makes Starling want to catch Buffalo Bill more, and she knows Crawford is the leader she needs to accomplish that goal. Crawford has led three successful efforts... (full context)

Crawford shows Starling on a map where they are heading. He tells her that the body... (full context)

Before going anything further, Crawford gives Starling a few pieces of advice. First, he advises her to ask as many... (full context)

Crawford and Starling drive to the Potter Funeral Home in West Virginia, where the body of... (full context)

Once inside, Crawford talks to the sheriff, who is the man in charge. Crawford gently tells him that... (full context)

Starling hears yelling emanating from the room where Crawford is talking to the sheriff, and a few minutes later, they reemerge. After, Starling and... (full context)

...them to leave. Respectfully, they filter out of the room without protests. At that moment, Crawford returns and watches them go. He realizes that Starling knows these people and how to... (full context)

Starling and Crawford begin their examination of the body. Her wounds are similar to the rest of Buffalo... (full context)

Starling and Crawford speculate on how the victim could have received her many wounds. Lamar offers some suggestions... (full context)

As soon as the examination is over, Crawford quickly moves into action. He sends all the important data where it needs to go... (full context)

Starling and Crawford ride in a car together. Starling is on her way to the Smithsonian, and Crawford... (full context)

Starling notes that scalping is rare and asks Crawford how Lecter knew Buffalo Bill would do it. Crawford tells Starling that Lecter merely guessed... (full context)

Starling and Crawford’s conversation ends as they arrive at FBI headquarters, and Crawford gets out of the car.... (full context)

Back at Quantico, Starling prepares her notes and writes to Crawford about cross-referencing the FBI’s criminal database with the entomology publications. Additionally, she asks for another... (full context)

...with her blouse, which he claimed to have found on the side of the road. Crawford thinks all the signs point to Buffalo Bill, though he holds off on saying so... (full context)

...will get the chance to fly to Memphis. However, she has yet to hear from Crawford, and when she asks his secretary if he left a note for her, the secretary... (full context)

After her discussion with Ardelia, Starling receives a call asking her to meet Crawford at the Smithsonian, where Roden and Pilcher work. Before Starling leaves, Ardelia warns her that... (full context)

Starling and Crawford meet up at the Smithsonian. Crawford tells her the Memphis investigation has not turned up... (full context)

Crawford takes Starling to the anthropology offices, where some anthologists examine Klaus’s head. Crawford informs Starling... (full context)

Crawford and Starling talk about Lecter’s history. Before the FBI captured Lecter, he was a practicing... (full context)

Crawford tells Starling that Lecter cares more than anything else about feeling more intelligent than others.... (full context)

While Crawford and Starling travel to Baltimore, Starling listens as Crawford makes a number of calls about... (full context)

As Crawford suggested, Starling does her best to play to Lecter's ego. She admits he was right... (full context)

...the deal is real. Even if Starling is telling the truth, he does not think Crawford will allow the deal to go through. (full context)

Still in the Baltimore Hospital, Starling calls Crawford to talk about her conversation with Lecter. She warns Crawford that time is running short,... (full context)

...phone with Senator Martin concocting a real deal. Additionally, Chilton tells Lecter that Starling and Crawford already knew Klaus was one of Buffalo Bill’s victims and implies that they have been... (full context)

Crawford travels to John Hopkins, where he meets Dr. Danielson, the head of the Gender Identity... (full context)

Crawford assures Danielson that the information he provides will remain private. He promises that after the... (full context)

Angry and desperate, Crawford shows Danielson a picture of one of Buffalo Bill's victims. He threatens to publicly slander... (full context)

Crawford places a phone call to Starling to talk about the new developments in the Chilton... (full context)

When Starling sees Crawford, she is still fuming over Chilton. She suggests charging him with obstruction of justice, but... (full context)

Crawford tells Starling to go to Tennessee, where she will hopefully be able to speak with... (full context)

Crawford buys Starling coffee, and, while they are out, Starling sees Barney. She calls him over,... (full context)

...Before Senator Martin gets a chance to speak with Lecter, she receives a call from Crawford. Crawford urges her to refrain from speaking with Lecter. He knows Lecter will only try... (full context)

After her phone call with Crawford, Senator Martin meets Chilton and Lecter in an office. Chilton takes off Lecter’s hockey mask,... (full context)

After her time in Memphis, Starling flies black to Virginia, where she visits Crawford in his home. Shortly after she arrives, she hears Crawford on the phone. He asks... (full context)

When Crawford gets off the phone, he reveals he was speaking to Chilton. He tells Starling about... (full context)

Crawford tells Starling that he is now on compassionate leave, although he did not have a... (full context)

Before she returns to everyday life, Crawford gives Starling one last task; he wants her to go to the Smithsonian to see... (full context)

...the fact that he is no longer legally allowed to work the Buffalo Bill case, Crawford continues contemplating the case files at home. He learns that the piece of metal Lecter... (full context)

Crawford speaks with Jerry Burroughs, one of his fellow higher-ups at the FBI. Burroughs tells him... (full context)

In his home, Crawford listens as Bella’s breaths become shorter and shorter. He stays by her side, holding her... (full context)

...she finds a note Lecter left about the apparent randomness of abductions. Unlike Starling and Crawford, Lecter does not think the locations of the abductions were random at all. Starling calls... (full context)

Starling meets Crawford outside the funeral home where he recently dropped off Bella’s body. She asks Crawford if... (full context)

No longer able to work the Buffalo Bill case in any proper capacity, Crawford spends his time calling around for updates. He speaks with John Golby, the new leader... (full context)

...contemplating what will happen to his career in the wake of the Buffalo Bill case, Crawford gets a call from Dr. Danielson at Johns Hopkins. After Crawford promises to do what... (full context)

...tests administered by Johns Hopkins, he failed the background checks and personality inventories. Danielson tells Crawford that the man’s actual name is Jame Gumb. The reason he failed the background check... (full context)

...he uses to create his sewing patterns. Immediately, she leaves the Bimmel residence to call Crawford. However, before she can reach him, she gets a call from Burroughs. (full context)

Burroughs tells Starling that Crawford figured out Buffalo Bill’s identity. As they speak, Crawford and his team are on their... (full context)

Crawford and his men prepare to land in Illinois, where they believe Jame Gumb is hiding.... (full context)

Starling returns to Washington, where Ardelia and Crawford wait for her. When she lands, Ardelia places a whisky in her hands. On the... (full context)

Crawford invites Starling into his office so they can see what the media is making of... (full context)

The Silence of the Lambs

Jack Crawford Character Analysis

Jack Crawford Quotes in The Silence of the Lambs

Chapter 1 Quotes

Chapter 12 Quotes

Chapter 13 Quotes

Chapter 28 Quotes

Chapter 48 Quotes

Jack Crawford Character Timeline in The Silence of the Lambs