The movie 'Psycho' is not only the first slasher of the cinematographic history, but is also full of themes and filming techniques that have revolutionized the genre. Hitchcock’s classic consists of mystery, suspense, but also has a straightforward portrayal of gender roles. Interestingly, throughout the plot there is no room left for the viewer to analyze them, as the stereotypes of the sexes are set from the beginning. Ben Elliot explains: “Hitchcock is never content to let the audience draw their own conclusions about genders in his films; instead he comes out and has the characters say statements outright about men and women” (Elliot).
Moreover, Tanja Modleski observes that Hitchcock's movies are dominated by females, who on one hand seem to be liberated, but at the same time are limited in their power. According to her feminist approach on the film, the great filmmaker depicts females in a degrading way, allowing the viewer to get narrative pleasure from her victimization (1). However, she recognizes that,
“[Hitchcock] remains committed to mining his films’ less obvious pleasure, which comes from discerning moments of female patriarchal resistance and the undoing of patriarchal logic”. Therefore, it can be said that women in Hitchcock's films are the ultimate victims of the horror, but he also characterizes them as strong and independent from the dominating masculine culture.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Gender roles in 'Psycho'
- Gender and identity of the characters
- Norman and matriarchy
- Marion and patriarchy
- Voyeurism and gender
- Psychoanalysis and gender-roles
- Hitchcock's influence on other films
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This analysis explores the portrayal of gender roles in Alfred Hitchcock's classic film "Psycho," examining how the characters embody and challenge societal expectations. The study delves into the complex dynamics between the film's main characters, Norman and Marion, and their influence on the narrative. The film's use of voyeurism and psychoanalysis in shaping these gender roles are also central to the analysis.
- Gender roles and stereotypes in "Psycho"
- The interplay of male and female characters in Hitchcock's film
- The influence of voyeurism on gender perceptions
- The use of psychoanalysis in understanding gender dynamics
- Hitchcock's contribution to the development of slasher film conventions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction delves into the historical and thematic significance of "Psycho" as the first slasher film, highlighting the film's revolutionary techniques and its complex portrayal of gender roles. The chapter examines how Hitchcock's work employs stereotypes to create an unambiguous view of gender roles, showcasing the limited agency of female characters within the film.
Chapter 2 focuses on the analysis of gender roles in "Psycho," highlighting the objectification of women as victims of male voyeurism and sadism, and how this reinforces a patriarchal power dynamic. The chapter analyzes the characters of Marion and Norman to understand their motivations and their role in the film's narrative.
Chapter 2.1 delves deeper into the characters of Marion and Norman, exploring their individual identities and the influence of their relationship on the film's themes of gender and dominance. The chapter examines Norman's psychological state and its impact on his interaction with Marion, highlighting the blurring lines between gender roles within his internal struggle.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this analysis include gender roles, stereotypes, slasher film, Alfred Hitchcock, "Psycho," voyeurism, psychoanalysis, patriarchal society, victimization, power dynamics, female agency, male dominance, and character analysis.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2017, Gender roles in slasher movies based on Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1278178
