Feminism

In this shot we see a medium close up of Sam grabbing Norman, who is dressed as his mother, from behind. We see Norman struggling and screaming while holding a knife. Sam is grabbing Norman's arm to prevent him from swinging the knife, he has a agonising look on his face. In the background various items from the fruit cellar are located. We can see directly behind them the cellar's door, which is open due to Lila walking in prior to this shot.

We hear a constant high pitch major key screeching of stringed instruments. This music is also used in a previous scene with a similar action taking place, in which we're meant to feel suspense. The music created is repeated in quick succession which transitions to the music in this exact shot which is a minor key and slower paced sound of the same stringed instruments. They play two notable notes and with each stroke they keep the same tempo but the notes change slightly in pitch. We also hear the diegetic  scream saying "I'm Norma Bates". We also hear other diegetic sounds of Sam & Norman's footsteps as Norman attempts to kill Lila, with Sam quickly stopping him.

At first these elements come together to create a frightening and suspense filled emotion. However, as Sam rescues Lila these elements form a sense of relief. When we see Norman dressed as his mother holding a knife it shocks the audience as we have recently been associating with Lila in the previous scenes. We now know that Norman has killed multiple people before therefore we feel frightened towards him. As he approaches the suspense quick builds but this is quickly stopped when Sam enters. When Sam grabs Norman preventing him from attacking Lila we feel a sense of relief, as Lila does, as Lila is now safe from the killer. The music in this scene works to help intensify the emotions the shots are establishing. When we hear the same high pitched music from the shower scene in which Marion was murdered, our feelings are heightened as we are lead to belief Lila might suffer the same fate as Marion. The diegetic sound of footsteps approaching adds to this giving the feeling off the killer approaching. In the particular shot we are hearing the slower paced and minor key music. It was important to state the previous music heard as this new tune is reminiscent of it. The music works to build a sense of relief as the previous music slows down and begins to break down. We feel the sense of relief as the previous feelings of suspense fade away along with the music which is helping to accomplish this.

Once we've seen the entire film we learn of how Norman was under the control of his idea of his mother, he was a dangerous and almost unstoppable killer. Knowing this our we know we were right to feel frightened of Norman. As had Sam not been there to save Lila, Norman would've surely killed her.

Knowing this sexist/misogynistic ideas and themes are developed here that Hitchcock developed and  were also common in films of the 1960's era, in America, and prior. These are that women need a man to be saved and that women make life more difficult. We see that had Sam not been there to stop Norman, Lila would've likely suffered a unfortunate fate. Also prior to this scene and also within this scene we see Lila's curiosity putting both her and Sam at risk, causing the audience to question if the scene would've played out very differently had Lila just stuck with Sam.

Hitchcock intended to convince the audience of these ideas, and in the era of when this film was released he was successful in his intention. This is because firstly we are left feeling a sense of relief as Sam has saved Lila, as by herself we are led to assume she would've suffered the same fate due to the repeated music from Marion's death scene. However, when the closing music of this scene begins Lila is alive as she'd been saved by a man. As the scene closes we the music works to remind the audience of Marion's fate, the key difference being having a man to save Lila. Therefore we are further convinced to believing in this misogynistic idea, meaning Hitchcock was indeed successful with this idea. Hitchcock was also successful in convincing audiences of his other idea, that women make more life difficult. In this particular shot we see Sam had to protect not only himself but also Lila, as she couldn't. Prior to this entire scene we see Lila insist on coming to the motel with Sam, Hitchcock leads the audience to believe had she done what Sam said this entire situation could've been avoided. The audience thinking this shows evidence of how Hitchcock convinces the audience that Lila had made this scenario more difficult for Sam.

It is important to note that one strong external factor for why Hitchcock was successful in his sexist intentions in this shot is due to the era in which this film was released. In 1960's America, where/when this film was released, the majority of society was sexist towards women and treated them such as second-class citizens. Compared to today where, while it may not be perfect/completely fair yet, women and men live much more equal lives and sexist views a not encouraged/socially acceptable.

In the wider context this film had a strong impact on society as a whole. Hitchcock is well-known to unfairly treat his female cast as well having a sexist view of women as a whole. He doesn't outright hate females as he's been quoted saying "I don't exactly hate women, but I certainly don't think they are as good as men as actors."(From <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-1024720/A-Psycho-Birds-SPELLBOUND-BY-BEAUTY-Donald-Spoto.html> ). The ideas that Hitchcock tries to convince audiences of represent how most of society of the time viewed women. It shows that Hitchcock shared his beliefs with general society. This made his intentions easier to succeed in, as most of his audience shared his beliefs. However, in today's society he is seen as a man with sexist beliefs. While this may be true Hitchcock wasn't entirely sexist towards women. In the wider film we see the main characters/protagonists of the film were females. Not only that but strong and independent ones. Part of doing this was to help set-up the idea that women need a man to be saved. As Hitchcock showed the consequences of women wanting to be independent. However, despite that Hitchcock challenged general society's view of women of the time. He created characters that challenged many beliefs, showing that women can be independent and don't always need a man in their life. Hitchcock eventually used these women to further push the ideas that conformed what society of the time really wanted to hear. Yet he did ultimately accomplish this in a way that opposed many. Knowing this we can see that Hitchcock also intended to challenge society's thinking but achieve this in a way where his film's morals a still accepted. As he did exactly this we can see that on a minor scale Hitchcock achieved his intentions of his sexist beliefs, but also challenged society as a whole to see women as something more than just an object.