Summary Of The Parlor Scene In Hitchcock's Psycho

In the Parlor scene from Hitchcock’s Psycho, where Marion and Norman are talking during her first and last night at the hotel, the mise-en-scene expresses the true nature and, to a certain extent, the intentions of both characters. The illumination in this scene adds to the movies suspense and significance, the props foreshadow what’s to come, as well as what is said by Norman. This scene is where the viewers are introduced to Norman Bates and his strange life, and allowing them realize that there’s something not right about him.

The scene starts with what seems to be an innocent invitation from Mr. Bates into his parlor, as an alternative dining area from her room or his office. Norman walks into the completely dark room first, engulfing himself in that blackness gives off a sense of evil and danger; Marion walk in only when the room is lit, depicting her purity and her contrast to Norman. She walks into the room and sits near the main source of light, the key light within this scene: the brightly lit lap which appears to be glowing. Its light makes
After Marion asks why Norman doesn’t put his mother “someplace”, menacing music begins to play and Normans face gets much closer to the camera and he forgets what has been talked about, forgets his mother’s words and his facial expression changes, suddenly from calm to threatening. Talking as if he knows what it feels like to be inside a “Mad House”. This is the part of the scene that makes the viewers, alongside Marion, uncomfortable and nervous, and they see that Norman might not just be the simple motel owner he pretends to