Discuss the techniques that Alfred Hitchcock employs to create suspense and horror in Psycho

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Adam Todd

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Discuss the techniques that Alfred Hitchcock

employs to create suspense and horror in Psycho

        Alfred Hitchcock uses many techniques to build horror and suspense in ‘Psycho’. He does this with camera shots, lighting, plot twists, sound and many other devices to create a unique feeling of tension in this film. He plays on horror stereotypes like the big, dark, lonely house on a hill in the rain as Marion approaches, who happens to be an attractive young woman. He also plays with the aspect of black and white, which highlights shadow and light in each shot. There is also the revolutionary idea Hitchcock used in which he used a lack of visual effects and more psychological imagery to create effective horror in his time.

        There are three key scenes in ‘Psycho’ in which Hitchcock manipulates feelings of anxiety in his audience. The first of these is the parlour scene. In this first scene we see two characters: Norman and Marion. The couple have an awkward conversation over supper, referring to traps, mother, and the ominous birds that populate the walls. The camera shots involved are almost exclusively shot reverse shot, which captures the changing conversation between Norman and Marion. The camera also builds uncomfort, as the simple eye-level shots turn into low-angle, unnatural shots of Norman, as he progressively looms over Marion throughout the dialogue.

        Lighting is used cleverly in this scene to contrast the ‘good and evil’ between the two characters. Whilst Marion is shown in an angelic full light, lit from all directions, Norman is shown in an eerie under-glow, casting half his face into shadow. This is a symbolic representation of his split personality: the light and innocent side of Norman, with the dark and evil side of mother, shown on one face.

        The birds have a significant role in this scene. This use of proxemics shows them looming over him, like his mother looms over his life, watching the conversation take place. They are also representative in that all of these birds are birds of prey. Maybe it is to suggest that Norman is one of these predatorial birds, and Marion is soon to be his prey. The key bird featured is an owl over Norman, which is a nocturnal hunter. Norman, or mother, killed Marion at night whilst she was most vulnerable.

        Their talk turns to mother surprisingly often, as we begin to see Norman’s affection for her.

“A boy’s best friend is his mother.”

This shows us his curiously devoted relationship, in which he seems to only ever talk to his mother, denying himself of any friends. When Marion suggests that he put his mother away ‘some place’ (referring to a mental institution), he reacts very seriously to this. He is very against this because he knows that in reality he cannot do this, and if he could, he wouldn’t be able to live without her. They also have an interesting conversation about traps.

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“We’re all in our own private traps.”

This is a curious statement because before this Norman seems to be happy living with his mother in this strange and remote place. He also manages to let slip some insight into his poor mental health.

“We all go a little mad sometimes.”

This ominous remark puts Marion on edge, because it reflects her random and unplanned stealing of the $40,000. Their body language also shows their differences in attitude to each other. While Marion sits down on the sofa and delicately eats her supper, Norman is constantly shuffling forwards and backwards in ...

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