Although I paid close attention to Norman Bates in the film, the ending still surprised me. He seemed troubled, but I did not guess that he committed the murders. However, upon closer examination of specific scenes and details, one can easily conclude that Norman was the murderer. One important element of the film not only helps to set the on-edge feeling within the audience, but also gives important clues as to who Norman is as a person.
The scene which best illustrates Norman as a troubled man is the scene with Marion and himself, when Marion eats the sandwiches he fixes for her. This scene establishes extreme discomfort for Marion and the audience due to its socially and environmentally awkward aspects. The audience believes Norman has a mother, because they hear the arguing (even though the woman is not visible). Already, this establishes some discomfort for Marion, and perhaps even for the audience. Already receiving rejection from a host who the visitor has never met may stir an uneasy, anxious feeling. That initial feeling sets the mood of this scene for the audience: uncomfortable.
Next, the conversation between Marion and Norman grows increasingly tense. The environment in itself is unsettling; a bunch of dead birds, stuffed to look alive, upsets Marion, judging by the look of concern on her face. The content of the conversation is very awkward due to its personal content. Norman begins sharing a lot of details regarding his mother to Marion, a stranger he has never met. He tells her that his mother is a bit mad, and that her lover died. After Marion asks if he has any friends, he claims that a boy’s best friend is his mother. This is a bit of an odd statement for a grown man to make, especially to a stranger. When Marion suggests that Norman puts his mother in a home for the mentally ill, he suddenly becomes very angry. It may be normal to express some mild anger, but he knows that Marion meant no harm. Even after she apologizes he is still angry. This scene establishes Norman as a socially awkward, isolated, and easily angered individual. This scene also makes the audience and Marion very uncomfortable.
However, as the film progresses, it is difficult to hold onto this introduction of Norman. After all, the audience sees the silhouette of an old woman committing the murders. In addition, Norman appears upset and shocked when he sees Marion dead in the shower. These instances override the audience’s initial impression of Norman. One may think, yes, he is strange, but he is not a murderer. This is where Alfred Hitchcock fools everybody, like he did in Vertigo. He portrays Norman as a bit strange, yet omits certain vital information—such as the face of the murderer and Norman’s past—and only shows Norman in a non-murderous light. Now that I have watched a few Hitchcock films, I will pay more attention to small details, uncomfortable scenes, and potentially tricks on the audience in order to predict the ending of these unpredictable films.
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