Character Introduction and Symbolism

The first shot of the characters shows Marion Crane in her white bra and underskirt, lying down and looking up at a man who is putting on his clothes. This visual composition is rich with symbolism and character development:

1. Marion's white undergarments suggest purity and possibly virginity at this stage, contrasting with her later change into black clothes when she steals the money.
2. The positioning of Marion lying down while Sam stands emphasizes her passive role and his dominance in the relationship.
3. The use of horizontal (Marion) and vertical (Sam) lines in the composition further reinforces this power dynamic.

Vocabulary: Low-key lighting - A style of lighting for film, television, or photography that emphasizes shadows and soft light to create a dramatic mood.

The low-key lighting in the scene serves multiple purposes:

• It creates a sad atmosphere, highlighting Marion's bleak situation and encouraging audience sympathy.
• It emphasizes that the audience is witnessing something secret and not meant to be seen.
• Hitchcock uses this lighting to draw the audience in with the allure of forbidden sexuality.

The secret nature of the lovers' meeting provides a thematic link to Norman Bates and his behavior later in the film, as both secrets are sexual in nature.

Quote: "You never did eat your lunch, did you?" This line introduces the sandwich motif, which will recur later when Marion eats sandwiches with Norman. In this film, sandwiches typically link to the end of things – the end of Marion and Sam's relationship, and ultimately, the end of Marion's life.

Opening Pan Shot and Symbolism

The Psycho opening credits begin with a dramatic slow pan shot of Phoenix, gradually revealing more of the city and landscape to the viewer. This aerial shot serves multiple purposes in setting up the film's themes and atmosphere.

Highlight: The name of the city, Phoenix, is a visual pun, referencing the mythical bird that rises from the ashes – foreshadowing how Mrs. Bates, Norman's mother, will metaphorically rise from the dead.

Hitchcock introduces his famous bird motif in this very first scene. The audience sees the city from a bird's eye view, and a sign in the upper left of the screen shows a bird with spread wings. This Alfred Hitchcock's bird motif symbolism will recur throughout the film, with the main character's name being Marion Crane and later connections to Norman Bates' taxidermy hobby.

The pan shot provides crucial information about the setting:

• The date is Friday, December 11th (no year given, suggesting timelessness)
• The time is 2:43 in the afternoon (end of lunch)

The camera movement is significant, starting high above an upmarket part of the city, showing a bank and a classy hotel, before moving slowly to a seedier, drabber area. This technique not only sets the scene and mood but also gives the impression that the audience is searching for someone or something, effectively grabbing their attention.

Example: The downward movement of the camera as it descends towards the window is a crucial motif that will be repeated throughout the film – Norman slashing the knife downwards into Marion, Lila descending the steps to the basement.