Thematic Function Style in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window Essay

Thematic Function ardor in Alfred Hitchcocks Rear Window - Essay ExampleImportant Patterns the Plot On the surface the piece of the film seems rather simple just a single set and a handful of characters, only upon close observation we realize that just by means of editing Alfred Hitchcock puts animateness in the plot, makes it suspenseful and attention-grabbing. Fawell (5) in his books suggests that Hitchcock believed that everyone was involved in something physical and nasty behind closed doors. This belief can be assumed as a basis for creating Rear Window, where Hitchcock portrays the model of voyeurism trough the central character of his film. but he applies the voyeurism concept in a collateral manner by projecting parallel concepts of pitying loneliness and need for empathy. The opening scene shows a broken camera with a picture of an woodworking plane taken at very close range. The friend, Jeffries is seated in a chair with his foot in a cast. In order to kill his bo redom, Jeffries develops the habit of observing his neighbors through his install window. He allocates nicknames to these multitude and observes their intimate lives through an impersonal distance. There are significant elements of voyeurism in his observations as he watches the ballerina dancing seductively in her underwear, a couple which sleeps on the balcony, a newly-married couple engaged in an intimate embrace that keeps pulling down the blinds, a pianist who is trying to woo women with his music, a zinnia who is looking for love in the oddest of ways and an unhappy salesman who is frequently quarrelling with his wife. Hitchcock uses the technique point-of-view which enables the viewer to look at the entire film through Jeffriess perspective. Through Rear Window Hitchcock uses voyeurism that results in a positive outcome as Jeffries through is odd interest in neighbors solves a murder mystery, saves his own life and salvages his relationship with Lisa. Towards the beginning of the film, Jeffriess nurse Stella says weve become a nation of peeping toms, this is the central theme slightly which the plot of the film revolves. According to Fawell, Hitchcock blows up the single set from the window into a view of xxxi city apartments that appear to be like an elaborate doll-house (4). The very concept of using an apartment construction instead of neighboring houses contributes immensely to voyeurism. This is so because in case of a house with a rear window the other visible window could be of one neighboring house, which would have to be the sea wolfs then there would not be any significance of other characters. The very concept of voyeurism stands out when Jeffries observes the intimate lives of various characters residing in apartments of the opposite building, not just the killers. Hence although the protagonist in the film is firmly seated in one place, we are able to see treble views through his eyesor the eyes of the camera. This Hitchcock has execu ted to perfection with close-up shots, tracking shots and film montages. For example when Jeffries is public lecture on the phone