Introduction
Childhood experiences have a significant role in shaping adult behaviors. Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Psycho (1960) centers on the trauma and identity of two central characters, Marion Crane and Norman Bates. They are comparable in particular respects, with Norman portrayed as a murderer and Marion as a thief.
Past tragedies have confined both characters, which has an impact on their identity and conduct. The movie explores the complex nature of human behavior and the internal conflicts that arise when societal behavior conflicts with personal desires. Marion Crane and Norman Bates represent two characters psychologically affected by their past, significantly impacting their character.
Similarities Between Marion Crane and Norman Bates
Marion Crane and Norman Bates have similarities in their personalities and behaviors. Both characters express a form of discontentment with their present lives. Sam, a divorced man, dates Marion, a young woman working as a secretary (Jacobs). Marion skillfully pretends to be in a happy relationship with her boyfriend, Sam.
On the flip side, Norman hides his darker thoughts behind the hospitality and politeness he expresses. It shows the reaction formation based on Anna Freud’s defense mechanism, which involves expressing the opposite of one’s true feelings (Mister Simplify). Marion’s frustration originates from her inability to marry her boyfriend due to the financial constraints she was experiencing.
Norman is powerfully shaped by the Oedipus complex in his early stages of childhood and development. According to the Oedipus complex, children in their phallic sexual stage experience the sexual stage of the opposite sex as desired and the identical sex as a rival (Turner). Therefore, Norman, excessively attracted to his mother and barely to his father’s behavior, displays the Oedipus complex. Unhappy with his mother’s death, he maintains her preserved corpse and assumes his mother’s character (Jacobs).
There is a shared belief that their lives are trapped, and thus both share a similarity in escaping to find the freedom they desire. Marion decides to steal money and flee to California to escape the monotonous life the character was subjected to. According to defense mechanism proposed by Anna Freud, Marion, in repression mode, continually pushes unwanted thoughts and emotions into her mind (Mister Simplify). Both Characters’ struggle thus highlights the desire for liberation and entrapment.
Both characters bear a hidden past of poor decision-making that adversely affects their adulthood. The conversation between the two characters at Bates Motel further highlights their personalities and character similarities (Jacobs). After the escape, Marion seeks a temporary refuge and meets Norman at Bates Motel, who seems gentle and sympathetic.
It is the opposite expression of the character that Normal expresses by being a dangerous person. The characters engage in conversations revealing personal struggles and secrets in their past lives. Marion discusses her dreams and the desire for a fresh start with Norman. The latter character explains to the former about his mental illnesses and disturbed relationships; this hints at the psychological disturbances contributing to Norman’s trapped life.
Trapped in childhood developmental behavior is more risky than acquired later in life. In addition to having a similar sensation of being trapped, Marion Crane and Norman Bates possess comparable behavioral tendencies (Jacobs). Marion develops her behaviors in adulthood, while Norman acquires them in childhood. Both characters have a great propensity for secrecy and trickery. Marion’s choice to steal the money shows her eagerness to do immoral activities to fulfill her aspirations.
Norman hides the truth and covers up his actions, influenced by his mother’s character. One could unlikely suspect that Norman could eventually murder Marion despite them engaging in a proper conversation about their lives. Their acts reveal their internal conflicts and the extent to which they will avoid facing the results of their decisions.
Different Ways of Being “Trapped”
The different types of entrapment that Marion Crane and Norman Bates encounter bear a significant psychological and emotional impact on their lives. The theft of money from her employer, which Marion feels guilty about since she thought it would solve all her issues, has only worsened her situation (Jacobs). The authoritarian nature of Norman’s mother imprisons him on an emotional level and drives him insane.
Due to cultural standards that forbid her from marrying Sam and her rising debts, Marion cannot tolerate her terrible financial circumstances. She proceeds to make rash judgments due to this financial trapping, such as stealing the money given to her. Societal demands can thus influence people to make irrational decisions that negatively impact their lives.
Norman, raised by a highly overprotective and abusive mother, develops an Oedipus complex with repressed sexual desires toward his mother and rivalry toward his father (Turner). Norman’s mother-son connection, which is complicated, plays a significant role in his capture (Jacobs). When the father dies, Norman feels betrayed by her mother, who starts dating other men.
Due to the psychological disturbance, Norman develops a dissociative identity disorder. Even after the mother dies, Norman remains mentally tied to her, unable to forge an identity distinct from her oppressive presence. To escape this trap, Norman adopts his mother’s demeanor, which exerts control over him and feeds his aggressive instincts. Due to the psychological and emotional restrictions imposed by their kinds of imprisonment, both characters battle for autonomy and experience internal torment. Extreme emotional upheaval brought on by this internal struggle can result in violent outbursts and a disjointed sense of self.
The Impact of Entrapment on Identity
Being trapped significantly shapes Marion Crane and Norman Bates in different ways. Due to financial and social constraints, Marion makes decisions that go against her moral values (Jacobs). Her sense of self-worth is damaged, and her sense of identity is shattered due to the shame and terror brought on by her crime. She develops a severe internal conflict between her need for liberty and realizing that she has broken the law.
Marion’s identity later aligns with the guilt, fear, and internal conflict resulting from her desperate choices. Norman’s self-identity is severely impacted by this fragmentation of self and his inability to free himself from his mother’s influence entirely. He develops conflicted and distorted views of himself due to his failure to make sense of his actions and wants regarding his mother’s competing expectations.
Dealing with Past Trauma
The two characters’ techniques to handle their past trauma prove ineffective. Marion develops an evasion defense to deal with their experiences, steals money, and runs for independence and happiness with her lover, Sam (Jacobs). Her rash acts provide her with a momentary reprieve from her terrible circumstances.
On the other hand, Marion reassures herself that she deserves to be happy to justify her crime. She avoids the truth of her case by engaging in a type of denial. By altering her look and choosing a different path, Marion attempts to avoid attracting notice. However, she still feels uncomfortable and terrible about her crime, and these coping techniques prove unhelpful.
Norman and Marion meet at the Bates Motel and thus converse about their past lives. She receives an offer of food from Norman, who seems to comprehend her. He exhibits symptoms of mental instability, such as talking to himself and refraining from mentioning his mother. Later that evening, Marion is fatally stabbed while taking a shower by an unknown person.
Norman escapes the shame and accountability for his deeds by taking the identity of his mother. He converses with his mother as if present and alive, a form of projection, attributing his thoughts and feelings to someone else (Jacobs). Societal institutions have led to the propagation of hegemonic masculinity, where men feel superior to women (Fromm). These feelings thus make the men commit heinous acts as they feel justified to commit them.
Norman disguises himself as his mother and murders everyone who threatens their bond. According to Anna Freud’s Defense Mechanisms, Norman projected his feelings onto others, leading to heinous acts such as Marion’s murder (Mister Simplify). By assuming his mother’s identity, he distances himself from the guilt and responsibility of his actions, such as murdering Marion. However, these coping techniques prove useless since they cause him to kill others and become a criminal.
Conclusion
Marion Crane and Norman Bates experienced traumas that impacted their lives and identities. Marion’s trauma lies in her inability to fulfill her desires due to societal constraints and financial struggles. She is trapped in a life of unfulfilled dreams, which drives her to make impulsive choices. On the other hand, Norman’s trauma stems from his complicated relationship with his mother, which includes her emotional manipulation and authoritative presence. His traumatic upbringing shapes his distorted perception of relationships and sexuality.
Works Cited
Fromm, Lilia. “It’s Reigning Men: Gender Roles and How They Hurt You.” TEDxLincoln, YouTube Video, Web.
Jacobs, Setseruna. “Psycho Full Movie HD Quality (1960).” YouTube, 2023, Web.
Mister Simplify. “Human Defense Mechanisms by Anna Freud – Simplest Explanation Ever.” YouTube, 2021, Web.
Turner, Aidan. “The Oedipus Complex.” BBC Radio 4, YouTube Video, Web.