Analysis: Shower Scene

Question 1

Janet Leigh’s ACTING emotions throughout the shower scene?

Answer 1

Joy/pleasure (smiling), fear/terror (scream), shock/acceptance (blank stare) … death

Question 2

How are close-up CAMERA shots used in the shower scene?

Answer 2

Close up shots are used throughout the whole scene:
- sense of claustrophobia, adds to tension
- adds to intimacy of situation: positioning audience as voyeur
- positions focus on Marion Crane, her emotions

Question 3

How is EDITING used to foreshadow? in the shower scene

Answer 3

The shots of Marion’s face at the start are interspersed with shots of the spurting shower head: foreshadowing loss of blood

Question 4

How does the code of ACTING emphasize shock and fear conveyed in the shower scene?

Answer 4

Leigh’s portrayal of Marion looking happy at the start of the scene lulls audience into false sense of security, making murder more terrifying

Question 5

How do extreme close-up CAMERA shots convey meaning in the shower scene?

Answer 5

• series of XCU’s at moment of marion’s death, combined with fast paced editing, emphasises shock, jarring nature of event

Question 6

How does EDITING symbolically convey the resolution of Marion’s character arc in the shower scene?

Answer 6

• Cutting from XCU of water running down the drain to Marion’s dying eye symbolises how her life is draining away: showcasing the end of her character in the film

Question 7

How does the shower scene convey the views and values of the time around women’s role in society and morality? (using 2 codes and a convention)

Answer 7

• Views around women’s role in society and morality are conveyed in this scene symbolically using MISE EN SCENE, ACTING and OPENING DEVELOPMENT AND RESOLUTION
• Marion is depicted as naked, washing herself and happy at the start of the scene before the murder occurs.
• This represents the view that female pleasure and bodily autonomy leads to an eventual end in harm

Question 8

Symbolism of SETTING in the shower scene?

Answer 8

• Marion being murdered in the shower conveys the idea that her immoral actions could not simply be forgotten and “washed away” - symbolically represented by the water

Question 9

Editing use in the shower scene?

Answer 9

fast paced jumpcuts between frames is used in the scene to heighten mood of fear: build tension

Question 10

How is SOUND used in the shower scene?

Answer 10

Bernard Herman’s high, shieking staccato string score elevated the shock and terror of the murdery climax - acts as continuation of Marion’s scream, dragging out the terror
- diegetic sound of shower curtain being ripped back, Marion’s piercing screams as she is stabbed