MovieChat Forums > The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Discussion > 'Amputate a mans leg and he can still fe...

'Amputate a mans leg and he can still feel it tickle'

posted 8 years ago by Jwink72
10 replies | jump to latest

Is this true???? I couldn't find anything but SOTL quotes on google.

[–] DrLectersGirl 8 years ago

It's called "Phantom Limb Pain". When someone has a limb removed, often they still feel pain in the limb that has been removed. The nerve endings at the site of the removed limb will send signals to the brain that make the brain think that the limb is still there. So, that quote was correct.
Hope this helps :)

"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire"~ Schindler's List

[–] Jwink72 8 years ago

Thank you!! It did

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

That's crazy as hell!!

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] VValkyrie 8 years ago

Exorcist III good and FREAKY movie.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] looker7 8 years ago

Be that as it may, this was not what the scene meant, imo. From memory -- it's been ages since I last saw this film -- the purpose of the scene was, again, to show how perceptive, cold and manipulative Lecter could be; he was toying and playing with the woman Senator for his own amusement. Moreover, Lecter was trying to be humorous by suggesting that the Seantor's nipples were so hard from breast-feeding Catherine, that even if a person's leg was to be amputated, you could still feel her nipple tickling said amputated leg; it was a hyperbolic comment used for effect and humour. Anyone agree?

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Moreover, Lecter was trying to be humorous by suggesting that the Seantor's nipples were so hard from breast-feeding Catherine, that even if a person's leg was to be amputated, you could still feel her nipple tickling said amputated leg; it was a hyperbolic comment used for effect and humour. Anyone agree?

No, absolutely not.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] looker7 8 years ago

by PreachCaleb » Mon Nov 28 2016 14:10:50
IMDb member since December 2003
Moreover, Lecter was trying to be humorous by suggesting that the Seantor's nipples were so hard from breast-feeding Catherine, that even if a person's leg was to be amputated, you could still feel her nipple tickling said amputated leg; it was a hyperbolic comment used for effect and humour. Anyone agree?

No, absolutely not.

Ok, so the writers made the viewers aware of quite an interesting medical fact in "phantom leg", but I can't help but think that, given the context of the the inclusion of said medical fact, the writers also, cleverly, intended to make a hyperbolic joke about 'tough nipples'; essentially, the condition/phenomenon of "phantom leg" provided a vehicle for the dual purpose of providing the audience with interesting medical facts, and making a hyperbolic quip. Anyone?

[–] chilone 8 years ago

As stated in John Dies At The End, it's called "fantasy leg situation".

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!