Psycho: Narrative and the Film Extract

The movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock presents many twists that changes the focus of the whole entirely for the audience. The story in the beginning followed the troubles of Marion but then switches to focus to the story of Norman Bates, who is not introduced until a third into the movie. The twists and turns of the movie bends the very linear path that it would have taken without these twists. This twist allows the audience to rethink what the focus of the movie actually is.

The movie is very plot driven depending on the  story of Marion Crane of tying it in with the story of Norman Bates. The plot ties in all the backstory of Norman and the present for the search for Marion and the missing money. It uses motives and pulls in the audience to relate with characters of the film. The film is also very dependent on the time as the story of the film goes through many different time settings, spanning weeks or only lasting minutes apart from each scene.

 When Norman is introduced, he can actually be relatable (before he goes psycho, or fonally shows it). He comes off as a shy and very lonely man with a weird hobby. Although this may have seemed creepy, this was being blocked by Marion's situation. Since she was in a lot of pressure, many would have thought that she would have turned psycho. By just how Norman talked, you could hear and see a somewhat scared and shy inflection in his voice. He was also very hospitable towards Marion which ruled him out as a would be psycho. But i guess you would have to watch for the ones you don't expect.




Marion is also a very relatable character as she is on the run and must make a moral decision. Her life revolves around her lovelife and her pursuit to get married. However, her boyfriend cannot supply her with the funds that she needs because of previous debt he still has to pay. This leads Marion to steal money and run away. While driving, she imagines the scenes of what could be happening back in her town. People can relate to making the right decision, either take the money and run away or give back the money. She makes up her mind and wants to return the money, but a psycho manages to kill her first.


In the novel of Psycho by Robert Bloch, Norman Bates is portrayed as a fat, middle-aged, charmless alcoholic. The casting of Anthony Perkins went completely against this because it would have been too obvious that Norman Bates would be the psycho. Instead, Hitchcock chose Perkins who is slender, handsome, shy and charismatic. This throws away most speculation of Norman being a psycho. Marion on the other hand is portrayed as this beautiful and hardworking woman trying to make her love work. Her relationship drives her to go off the beaten path (pun intended), and steal money even though she has been a loyal worker for years, which lead to her death not long after.