Alfred Hitchcock Use Of Suspense Essay

Alfred Hitchcock Use Of Suspense Essay

Alfred Hitchcock uses omission to set up suspense and a feeling of skepticism for the viewer. Lighting, dialogue, and distance all are tools Hitchcock employs to aid in his omission of certain details. The main asset Hitchcock exploits is the distance L.B. Jeffries is trapped at in comparison to where the real drama takes place for much of the film. This distance leaves the viewer feeling perturbed.

Hitchcock utilizes the distance between Jeffries's window, through which most of the film is shot, and the actions taking place in the apartments all the way across the courtyard to hide the dialogue between the characters. Jeffries is unable to leave his apartment and since the camera does not either, the viewer is rendered just as impotent as him. Hitchcock makes it clear that Mr. Thorwald is on the phone and from the attention drawn to him the viewer is led to believe that what he is saying could lead to the discovery of what happened to his wife. The aspect of this scene that adds suspense is the dark lighting making it impossible to see what he is saying. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Another consequence of Jeffries limited mobility is the paucity of sight. Hitchcock focuses in on specific objects or moments implying their importance, but then gives no further information to the viewer. When the men come to move the trunk the only information given is its relative size, the caution with which it was packed, and Mr. Thorwald's desire to have it taken from his home. Hitchcock omits what is in the trunk or where it is going. The viewer is then left to their imagination to decide what it could possibly contain. Another aspect of the film omitted by limited sight is what is happening with Mrs. Thorwald's jewelry. The viewer is able to see that the jewelry was left behind, but any indication of what this actually means is left up in the

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