This scene from PSYCHO first shows Norman Bates in a more
sinister way, especially the use of the mise-en-scene. Hitchcock use of Low key lighting connotes mystery and darkness of this character.
Hitchcock wants to hint that there is something much more to Norman then the
seemingly friendly character we see on the surface. Also the use of an Expressionist angle shows the power he
has over Marion during the conversation.
The stereotypical
creepy location adds a lot to the scene. While the room surrounded by stuffed
birds adding to the sense of entrapment. Also the iconographic of an owl as a “Bird
of prey”. which is almost mirroring Norman action throughout the film. The owl
mirrors Norman in the sense that he kills off people that come to his ‘nest’
and disturb his mother. Also the female
victim Marion has the surname of ‘Crane’, which of cause is a type of bird.
The clever link is Norman hobby. Norman kills and stuff birds. This is an early
signifier that Norman will want to add another bird to his collection.
This scene works so well because it uses the mise-en-scene really cleverly to create
an atmosphere that would make people feel awkward and uncomfortable. It is also
any example of Thomas Schatz’s “Genre
theory”. Hitchcock uses clear genre expectation of horror creates suspense
and tell us something about both characters in this scene.
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