This shot is contextually very interesting. Hitchcock has based
the character Norman Bates on Ed Gein, who was a serial killer in 1950’s. Gein
was a schizophrenic who killed his mum, preserved her body, had sexual
intercourse with the corpse and also made a body suit out of various corpses’
skins. This shot reveals that Norman Bates has preserved his mother. The stance
in which he is stood is very feminine and suggests not only has the killing of
his mother taken over him mentally, but he has even adapted his physical stance
so he himself finds it more believable. The angle of the shot is slightly low, briefly
giving Norman more power.
The low key lighting in the shot is successful as it creates
shadows which suggests mystery and also, shadows appear at the end of a period of
sun, this could foreshadow the end of Norman’s happiness as he is about to be
found out to be a psychopathic killer and wrestled to the ground by the male
hero, Sam. The shot is in the basement connotes creepiness and enclosure as
well. Norman is stood by the door so it gives us
as an audience the idea that we are trapped and can’t get away from him. The
knife is a phallic symbol which suggests sexual, male power over women.
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