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Bird Symbolism in Psycho: Women as Prey
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2016
- We take a look at the bird imagery in Hitchcock's Psycho and how the stuffed birds reveal Norman Bates's attitude toward women. Buy or rent Psycho on Amazon: amzn.to/2qsmPla
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I've seen Psycho dozens of times, and I hadn't considered the bird symbolism to this extent. Love the video; very well done. It makes me wonder if Mother's attacks, all being downward slashes, are supposed to resemble that of a bird of prey's talons, flying down at it's victim. The camera angle is even at a very high birds-eye-view for both attacks.
Great observation!
Austin's Obsession Productions I agree. Same here, I'll never be able to watch it the same way again, but it's a good thing.
@@RaginCajun3 people can read whatever they want into the various scenes. I doubt very much Hitchcock intended any of this ...
There is one more bit of symbolism - when Norman discovers the body and turns around with his hand over his mouth, one of the docile bird pictures falls off the wall representing how a "bird" has been killed
The Mise-en-scene is always impressive in Hitchcock's work.
He really paid attention to detail.
When Norman cleans up the cabin, he knocks a bird picture off the wall. He is then seen to seat in a position to, seemingly, replace it.
Just like he's replaced Marion as the lead character in the narrative...
When Norman said he likes to stuff birds, he was literally feeding Marion :o
Although I think the more relevant interpretation there is that he likes to 'stuff birds' = sexual intercourse with women.
Birds weren't the only things on the walls. There were pictures of (correct me if I'm wrong) the naked and beautiful Aphrodite.
Norman is also always chewing on stuff, in a sort of bird-like way, and at one point bends his head in a strange way, which Hitchcock shoots from an angle that emphasizes the underside of his nose. creepy!
How were camera placement and angles used to create suspense?
coincidentally? it's Hitchcock. That was intentional.
Yeah no coincidences with Hitchcock.
Don't forget when he went up the stairs it looks like a bird hoping.
Great point!
The birds motif also speaks to the film's voyeurism both of the audience watching the film and from Norman.
He likes to stuff birds. Wow. Really good dirty symbolism there.
I never realized this about Psycho, this channel is great
This was a very good analysis of the symbolism used in this movie.
This is a wonderful analysis. Lots of things I'd never thought about before. I'll keep an eye out for this motif in the movie from now on.
Top notch Editing, Commentary and Quality. only 4000+ Views & Subs.... this is CRIMINAL i tell you !
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great analysis!
Best movie essay channel out there, needs more views :)
The bird next to Norman at 1:51 is not a turkey, it's a ring-necked pheasant.
"B-b-b-bird, bird, bird... the bird is the word... b-b-b"...
You guys are my favourite new channel.
SO COOL!!!
Some of those birds in Norman Bates his office predicts how this movie "the birds"will take place.
Amazing channel, thanks for your tremendous work :D
The birds in the parlour are symbolic of Norman's mother looming over his life I think.
Absolutely! They aren't "prey"!
Ultimately his mother was also his prey
According to Zizek the birds has nothing to do with misogyny rather it symbolizes the "matriarchal superego". It makes much more sense with how the film ends also Hitchcock's other film "The Birds" has a very similar symbolism. Both main male characters are raised without a father figure, so traditional patriarchal superego could not be formed (Oedipus).
Nice analysis!!!
Terrific analysis. Hitchcock was a master of set design and camera positions for subliminal messaging. Janet Leigh alluded to the bird undertones in an interview in the early 1990's. There's one in every crowd: it's a ring-necked pheasant at 1:50, not a turkey.
Keep the videos coming.. :) holy shit.. This is some great stuff..
I also think the taxidermy represents his mother. Bringing life to something dead.
And does anybody know why Marion can hear mothers voice?? Never understood why
What did you like or dislike about the film?
Watch those subs come in now! Good shit!
Thanks!
You guys should analyze Dexter and Bates Motel
Great analysis! However, I believe the "gentle turkey" at 1:53 is a gentle pheasant.
Hitchcock in Psycho: Wow women are being opressed.
Hitchcock in The Birds:
This movie and the novel it's based on are genius!
Well, TECHNICALLY, it's NORMA (his split personality) that hates women. Norman likes them, but can't BECAUSE of Norma. If anything, it's woman vs. woman. Mother vs. potential daughter in law
But Norma could be a way of Norman express his hate for women.
The birds is supposed to be like his mom, always watching and over bearing. Authoritative.
I know the birds were everywhere in this film. But Dang. Didn't think it would be this much.
Do they purposely use these types of symbolism in movies.? Its very interesting but now it has me wondering.! & how do u guys come to these conclusions to begin with.! Great points btw.!
Jenna Kenna I know this is an old comment lol but as a film major, yes. Especially if you're talking about someone like Hitchcock. Often times filmmakers, good ones, make many hints using frame work, props, and a whole lot of other elements. If they do it wisely it can really be the difference between a good and awful film. Some it can be accidental tho and also to be fair people will interpret some things differently. But yes, the bird thing definitely is not accidental.
Jenna Kenna have you just been introduced to the medium?
Derek Durie have you just been introduced to patronising women in the comments section?
Never seen Psycho but I should! More movies should have symbolism like this.
Do you think the Birds possesses a similar meaning? How does it relate?
Wow :0 amazing!
Excellent video and channel!
1:57 Actually that is a Ring-necked Pheasant
When you mentioned the docile bird, I thought you were gonna bring up the idea that he was caressing it with his right hand, while his left hand hovered over his crotch. In other words, he was stroking his bird. Sexually aroused.
Im binge watching ur vids man.
another bird thing: either the movie after or before this one was called “ the birds “
he liked to STUFF birds
make them(mom) ALIVE
Could you do more Psycho videos or Bates Motel ones, please?
Marion’s name is Crane. A crane is a bird. Norman likes to stuff birds, and he would like to stuff Marion as well.
If we think about it
It was not about Norman Bate
It was about Hitchcock
Omg great vid thx
Well, I know Hitchcock's favorite animal and Freudian term.
That's not a turkey it's a pheasant.
great
Norman dosent hate woman his mother side hates the fact that someone is trying to steal norman from her and it just so happens to be a woman. They explain at the end that there was never a hatred to woman
But his mother side is just another expression of himself. He both is attracted to women and hates them because he is afraid of that feeling and feels like it's a betrayal to his mother in a way.. He never had a healthy view of sexuality due to his upbringing. His unhealthy relationship with his mother caused him to have unhealthy views about women and sexuality in general. Ultimately his mother side is just another aspect of Norman and the things he is repressing. Not an actually separate person..
2:15 you've got the phonemic script wrong for the pronunciation of bird, it should be /bɜːrd/
Never thought about the symbolism.
Just frightening.
Great video, there is certainly a lot of bird symbolism but would argue Norman doesn't hate women (if that's the case, then why kill Arbogast, plus the sequels see him trying to form relationships and in the 4th film, he's married) Misogyny is often levelled at this film and indeed Hitchcock, but imo it doesn't apply here. The same goes for his early 70s film Frenzy, the female characters are the strongest - Psycho is the same.
creepy.
Turkey? Looks like a pheasant.
interesting sexist symbolism interpreted here....
not sure if stretching it but even if so, wildly interesting perspective to begin with
"you eat like a bird" in no way suggests helpless bird. If we attach the specific species of bird physically nearest an actor in every scene...this hypothesis implodes rather quickly. Directors love theory like this. It's ridiculous overthinking films of busy directors like this that transition them from good filmmakers to "genius." A error they'll happily evade correcting.
Perhaps it's not *all* intentional. But Hitchcock was no doubt a genius, and obviously intended much of the bird symbolim. Especially considering in his very next film he explored Birds being a symbol for male and female relationships.
Yeah, no...You can interpret it as this, sure, but it's quite a stretch.
It's fine to interpret but don't act like it's facts
great analysis!