Vertigo = Key Themes Flashcards
(3 cards)
1
Q
Scopophilia =
A
- The pleasure or desire derived from looking or watching in a sexual or objectifying manner
- The idea of gazing as a form of sexual pleasure
- Works within the context of male gaze and objectification of women
- It also allows the observer to feel a sense of dominance or control over the subject of their gaze
- Hollywood cinema is structured around a male gaze which positions the audience as a voyeur
- Presents women as objects of desire which fulfils the sexual pleasure from a position of power. The camera lingers on female bodies which objectifies them and turns them into something to be looked at
- The way they watch women are examples of scopophilia pleasure without their knowledge and control what they see. Also seen in Rear Window
- It also shows themes of power dynamics and the unequal power relationship where observing can be dominating, passive and objectification
1
Q
Voyeurism =
A
- Scottie’s task of observing is inherently voyeuristic
- Intensifies as Scottie becomes more obsessed where it becomes personal obsession as her projects his desires onto her. She is essentially a projection of his fantasies
- She is constructed as an object for male desire and idealisation. Hitchcock frames Madeline as a mystery to be solved which heightens Scottie’s urge to watch and control her.
- She is the presence of objectification and their voyeuristic gaze
- Her role as a femme fatale plays into the idea of a mystery to be deciphered and consumer by the voyeur
- It reflects the male gaze and power dynamics of control and dominance wanting to transform her into a women he can control. It is not just an act of observation but to force her to fit the idealized image
- He wants to possess her identity and strip her from her autonomy which is a form of objectification
- The frequent use of POV shots from Scottie’s perspective reinforces the sense of voyeurism
- The dolly zoom emphasises the distortion of reality and how she solely exists for his gaze and desire
- Characters are framed by mirrors or reflection’s to highlight they are being watched and the inability to escape the gaze
- Leads to his psychological breakdown which shows the destructive nature of voyeurism
- Scottie attempts to reshape reality and clings to
1
Q
Obsession =
A
- Obsession is a central theme of Alfred Hitchcock’s and explores it through visual storytelling and character development
- Scottie’s obsession begins with a mysterious women as he attempts to solve her however he quickly becomes enchanted by her beauty and creates a fantasized and idealised women in his head which he shapes her to become
- Scottie’s obsession spirals into a dark obsession which intesifies into the need of possession and control. Scottie’s spiral represents the endless pursuit of Madeline which leads to emotional collapse
- His desire to reshape Madeline is a result of his obsession of his fantasy
- Hitchcock uses POV shots to demosntrate his obsession and place the audience through Scottie’s voyeurstic and obsessive gaze. Green is directly tied to the theme of unntaible and ehtereal beauty and the destructive power of obsession
