Psycho-parlour scene analysis

Hitchcock uses many close-ups and midshots during the parlour scene. This is used to create tension by showing the fast changing of emotions of Norman and Marion. This is particularly evident when Norman starts getting angry about people talking about his mother being put “some place”. This has the effect of showing how characters react to certain actions and also creates an effect of intimidation, especially when Norman leans over to the camera. This creates tension as it shows how the emotions and feelings of characters can change in a very short amount of time. Also, many shots of Norman are from the front which may give us a feeling that we are viewing from in front of or from Marions point of view, this creates a type of empathy link between the audience  and Marion, this makes us feel as if we are being spoke to instead of Marion herself.

     Hitchcock also makes good use of composition in the Parlour scene. This is used to create tension as of where things are in the shot. This is more obvious when the low angle shots of Norman are shown and we can clearly see the large owl with its wings spread. The owl builds tension as the viewer’s focus may drift from Norman to the owl as it seems as though it is swooping down for the kill, This builds tension as it seems rather scary and puts the audience on edge. Another way good use of composition is seen is when the straight on shots of Norman are seen, when he is sitting back we can clearly see a pheasant behind him, This could represent his mental state as when he is calm you can clearly see it, and as we know, the pheasant is a generally peaceful bird. However, when he leans forward when he is getting angry, the pheasant is obscured and a black bird, this could be a crow, seems to dominate more than the Pheasant, this could also represent his mental state in this as a crow is seen as a bad omen, thus complimenting Normans angry feelings at the time.

     Hitchcock also makes use of camera angles in this scene. This builds tension as it could make the character appear more violent or weaker during the duration of this shot as well as following shots. This is very evident as there are many low angle shots of Norman, This creates the effect that he is the dominant force in this conversation as he seems bigger than Marion, This also builds tension as he seems intimidating towards the audience and makes them intimidated by him or feel a sense of fear. This also has another effect as when the two are having this conversation, there are many cut aways to the other character. As we know the low angle shots of Norman are common and when we cut back to Marion, she seems to not takes as much of the shot up as what Norman does, This shows us that he should be scared of and could signify what he later does in the film.

     Hitchcock uses a lot of shadows to effect during the scene. This builds tension as shadows are seen as mysterious but also intimidating, especially if it is a large shadow. This is most evident when Marion is about to leave the room. Whilst she is leaving, there is a shadow of a Raven behind her shoulder. The raven is a symbol of death and since it appears on her shoulder, it could foreshadow what is going to happen. This creates tension as the raven is clearly there and is hard to miss; this creates tension as it is not the actual bird itself, but a shadow, which we find more intimidating. The Raven is also seen behind Norman as he is exiting the door and the raven is a large shadow behind his back, once again this could foreshadow what he is going to do to Marion, it is also seen beside him when he is sitting in the parlour. Shadow is also used to show a sense of mystery during their time in the parlour. This is seen when Marion is talking as some of her face is in shadow, but more when Norman is leaning back in his chair is it obscures most of his face as well as his chest, This could mean that we should look out for his later appearances as it makes him seem mysterious.

     Hitchcock also makes interesting use of framing during this scene. This creates tension as we are not sure what else is happening in the room or with the other person. This is evident when they first enter the parlour as when they are inside it, Marion and Norman are never seen together in the same shot, this also creates a sense of mystery as we do not know what the other character is doing or what they are reacting like to conversation till we cut back to them. It is also used with the raven mentioned above as the raven is actually only seen once physically when then enter and is later cut out of the whole scene as a physical being and can only be seen as a shadow, This makes the whole room more mysterious and also makes more room for use of shadow which is used to build tension in this scene.