Yes! There is so much cognitive dissonance placed on the audience in Psycho, where we clearly see him being a predator and a serial killer, while also being told he's possessed (which was early psychology's attempt at understanding DID which while rare, does often happen due to childhood trauma such as incest). There was also a lot of fanfare around the actor at the time because he was so good looking and charming in that role... further over-riding the audience's ability to perceive the danger. We are all Marion Crane while watching this movie.
I agree. Perkins is a wonderful actor, and does a great job of evoking sympathy. I think it’s interesting that he uses the same strategy as the mother persona, i.e. I wouldn’t hurt a fly. It works, because Marion thinks he’s harmless. She is also exhausted and has other things on her mind.
Norman’s argument with his mother also makes him sympathetic. Your point about childhood trauma is a good one, and could definitely be true. My reading is that he starts talking in her voice and wearing her clothes as a comfort ritual and because he doesn’t have anyone else to talk to.
be aware when showering in a small roadside motel
Yes! There is so much cognitive dissonance placed on the audience in Psycho, where we clearly see him being a predator and a serial killer, while also being told he's possessed (which was early psychology's attempt at understanding DID which while rare, does often happen due to childhood trauma such as incest). There was also a lot of fanfare around the actor at the time because he was so good looking and charming in that role... further over-riding the audience's ability to perceive the danger. We are all Marion Crane while watching this movie.
I agree. Perkins is a wonderful actor, and does a great job of evoking sympathy. I think it’s interesting that he uses the same strategy as the mother persona, i.e. I wouldn’t hurt a fly. It works, because Marion thinks he’s harmless. She is also exhausted and has other things on her mind.
Norman’s argument with his mother also makes him sympathetic. Your point about childhood trauma is a good one, and could definitely be true. My reading is that he starts talking in her voice and wearing her clothes as a comfort ritual and because he doesn’t have anyone else to talk to.