As far as initialed government organizations go, the FBI is pretty well respected.
No one wants an IRS agent coming to their door. The DEA parties with drug lords instead of arresting them. And the NSA is watching you read this right now. But the FBI has Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks, both Mulder and Scully from The X-Files, and, of course, Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs. That badge earns respect, but the agents have to first earn the badge.
Hannibal has his own reputation of course, and while it's a reputation for depravity, people respect it and keep him under especially tight and secure confinement.
Questions about Respect and Reputation
- What must Clarice do to earn Lecter's respect? What about Jack Crawford? How are the two similar? What does Clarice gain by earning respect from either man?
- Does Clarice have to work harder than a man might in order to gain respect?
- Clarice respects Jack Crawford, but it is possible for her to respect Hannibal Lecter as well?
- Does anyone care if Clarice Starling respects him (or her)?
Chew on This
Hannibal Lecter initially dismisses Clarice Starling, but it isn't because of her gender; it's because of her inexperience. She has to earn his respect.
Clarice wants to earn Jack Crawford's respect, because it's a way of earning her father's respect, which she was never able to do since he died when she was so young.