birds/psycho analysis

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One of the most powerful recurring themes in these two Hitchcock's films is the procession of domineering mothers.
Norman Bates is the antagonist of the movie Psycho. Norman Bates is a handsome young gentleman-like individual. However, even though he has a shy but eerie persona, we can’t imagine that this turns into a creepy murderer. The reason that ultimately leads to his insanity is his strange attachment to his mother. Besides being plain old Norman Bates, Norman’s other character is his mother. Norman dresses like his mother and can even have a conversation with himself shifting from one persona to the next. In the movie, we find out that Norman killed his mother and the mother’s partner because he was jealous of her. After killing his mother, he coped with the murder by physically having his mom’s corpse in the house and mentally absorbing per personality. The significant point in Psycho comes when Marion’s comments in the lounge threaten Norman’s mother, when she refers to him leaving her forever. Norman leans forward to defend his mother/himself from Marion. Throughout their discussion his posture changes, his emotions and words alternate between passive and aggressive. Although the slight sexual references between Norman and Marion are nothing more than harmless flirting, Norman is unable to separate his desires from his mother’s judgments. Norman is unable to mention words that are associated with sex. The bond Norman has with his mother is so strong that it makes it impossible for him to have an intimate relationship with women, the exception being that his brain has been programmed to move from words to action, white to black with nothing in between. His mother’s influence has caused all sexual thoughts to trig...

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...; The birds are also a manifestation of Melanie's fear of emotional relationship and her struggle with Mitch and with Lydia over Mitch. The first gull attacks Melanie when she realizes that she was successful in manipulating Mitch into following her. The most violent attack occurs after a conversation between Mitch and Melanie about the anger Melanie feels about being abandoned by her mother. Each succeeding attack wears away at Melanie until she has lost it completely by the end of the film. As the film progresses, there are no longer any illusions about Melanie being in control. In conclusion, Melanie is completely dependent upon anyone who will help her. We watch Melanie, helpless in the car with Lydia who smiles beneficently down on Melanie; in return Melanie stares yearningly into Lydia's eyes, having finally found the mother she has been searching for.

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