The+roles+of+characters’+performances

The multiple roles that characters play in their novel’s very own “theater” demonstrate the basis behind their performance or role as an audience member as they are driven by the appearances they must uphold to “blend” into society in order to achieve their respective goals. In both __Perfume__ and __Sailor__the main characters, Grenouille and Noboru, act as both the performer and as an audience member. For example, in __Sailor__ at the dinner where Noboru’s mother announces her engagement to Noboru’s “enemy” Ryuji, Noboru // acts // as if everything is ok, but inside he is boiling with rage. He keeps up the appearance that he is an average boy to help keep his nihilistic meetings with the boys’ secret from his mother, which resulted in killing his enemy Ryuji. On the other hand in __Perfume,__ Grenouille finds ways to sneak into society undetected under the ruse that he is an “ordinary” person by wearing different perfumes to ensure that he can accomplish his goal uninterrupted by killing 25 girls in the process. With nothing else to do out of boredom and curiosity, Noboru secretly began watching Fusako’s bedroom. Although, as Ryuji’s relationship developed with his mother, the peephole became an outlet for the built up anger he has for Ryuji. Grenouille’s role as an audience members shifts throughout the novel, for in the beginning he observes human behavior around him, which allows him to put on a better “performance.” Although, after Grenouille is incarcerated for his murders, he enjoys watching the riots in the square and seeing just the effect that he has had on the people around him, for he is finally getting credit for his “accomplishments.” Nevertheless, over the course of both __Perfume__ and __Sailor__ both Noboru and Grenouille are both actors and audience members, for they are either driven by their own selfish desires or by self-discovery.