Baldini Chapter 15-22

In terms of plot:

• Baldini introduces Grenouille to the art of perfumery, and teaches him how to measure out ingredients and recognise the various names of scents. This is important, as Grenouille was able to learn the basics of what will become his final goal- to create the ultimate perfume.

Consequently, Grenouille also learns to write down the various formulae for his scents, thus taming his way of creating perfume, which may be seen as progress towards becoming more ‘human’.

‘in the world’s eyes- that is, in Baldini’s- it was progress’

‘he learned the language of perfumery’

‘he had learned to extend the journey from his mental notion of a scent to the finished perfume by way of writing down the formula’

• Perhaps the most important thing that Baldini teaches Grenouille is the method of distillation. Because Grenouille masters this method, and fails when using it to obtain the scents of living animals, his failure drives him to find other methods of robbing scent, which Baldini informs him of.

In this instance, Baldini provides the next progression in Grenouille’s journey to creating the ultimate perfume by pointing him towards his next destination- Grasse.

‘Are there other ways to extract the scent from things besides pressing or distilling?’

In terms of Ideas and Themes:

• Baldini presents the theme of Genius vs. Convention. Baldini represents the idea of tradition and reluctance to change, this is shown by his disgust at the way Grenouille first displays his talent by mixing Amor and Psyche. In the book, genius is greater than convention and tradition, as Grenouille, who is naturally talented in smell, overpowers Baldini, who have had years of experience and training, in the art of perfumery.

This is further displayed in an example of irony in Chapter 15, where Baldini describes Grenouille as having ‘primitive lack of judgement’ even though Grenouille had just triumphed in creating the Amor and Psyche.

‘Baldini could smell fast enough to keep up with him’

• Baldini also presents the theme of Enlightenment, as a character who was never truly ‘enlightened’ with his encounter with Grenouille. Even though Baldini is initially awed by Grenouille’s talents at perfumery- to the point where he doubts his apprentice’s humanity- Baldini soon comforts himself as he was able record Grenouille’s ‘miracles’ in formulae. Baldini never truly recognises Grenouille’s talents.

‘he even came to believe that he made a not insignificant contribution to the success of these sublime scents’

‘he believes that by collecting these written formulas, he could exorcise the terrible creative chaos erupting from his apprentice.’

• Baldini continues the idea that death will follow in Grenouille's footsteps, and that whoever uses Grenouille for his gain will eventually die. Baldini dies soon after Grenouille leaves, thus emphasizing the amount of influence and destructive evil power Grenouille possessed.

Diana