In conclusion, costumes are used in two essential ways in the film. The first is that it reinforces the sense of normalcy and creates a background that juxtaposes and heightens the horror and drama of the film. The second use of costume in the way that Bates dresses as his mother is a complete transgression of normalcy and psychologically and socially diametrically opposed to the mundane costumes worn by the rest of the cast. This contrast is severe and serves not only to heighten the horror and shock aspects of the film but also functions to highlight and to provide insight into the twisted mind of Norman Bates.
Finally it is also interesting to note that the film was made in the 1960's, when the dress codes were more formalized and strictly related to particular social roles and norms. In this time the issue of cross-dressing and transvestitism was virtually unknown to the general public, except as a complete perversion of normalcy. It would be interesting to study whether the use of consume and the way that it invokes shock and horror in the film is still applicable to the changed norms and values in society today.
References
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho - screenplay. Retrieved 1 September, 2006, at http://www.paradiselost.org/psycho.html www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35339879
Bell-Metereau, R. (1985). Hollywood Androgyny. New York: Columbia University Press. Retrieved September 3, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35339879 www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002320907
Leff, L.J. (1999, August). Hitchcock and the Censors. World and I, 14, 108. Retrieved September 3, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002320907
Psycho: Behind the Scenes of the Classic Thriller. Retrieved September 3, 2006, at http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/051770112X
Sample Source(s) Used
References
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho - screenplay. Retrieved 1 September, 2006, at http://www.paradiselost.org/psycho.html www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35339879
Bell-Metereau, R. (1985). Hollywood Androgyny. New York: Columbia University Press. Retrieved September 3, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35339879 www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002320907
Leff, L.J. (1999, August). Hitchcock and the Censors. World and I, 14, 108. Retrieved September 3, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002320907
Psycho: Behind the Scenes of the Classic Thriller. Retrieved September 3, 2006, at http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/051770112X
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