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Research Paper | Journalism & Mass Communication | India | Volume 9 Issue 1, January 2020

Use of Archetypes in Alfred Hitchcocks Movies for Depiction of Women Character

Mudita Raj

Abstract: The article consists of analysis of use of Archetypes for the portrayal of women characters in Alfred Hitchcock's movies. Archetypes, are universal symbols, present as images in the collective unconscious, and are used extensively in movies, literature and poetry. The use of these archetypes helps in creating a subjective, fictional world as created in the movies, it also helps the director to paint the character he thought of, in the minds of the audience. A lot of archetypes, are used, to depict women across different media. Alfred Hitchcock in his movies usually depicts The Mother archetype, in his movies, as seen in Psycho. The ones selected for the purpose of this research paper include, The Female Hero, The Femme Fatale and The Seeker (The Seeker, is a general, gender neutral archetype, which has basic desire to find answers, and indulges in logically deducing various issues). Alfred Hitchcock, designs his characters, with utmost precision, in such a manner, that, he captured the public thought and opinion, his movies usually have ordinary characters, with humane fears, thoughts and desires, and while creating these characters he uses various Archetypes. Since already mentioned, Archetypes, are symbols and images embedded, in our unconscious thoughts, these archetypes appeal, instantly to the audience, and they can make quick associations with them. Therefore, Hitchcock, understands and uses the human psyche, and imparts his message, his story, his characters directly to the unconscious of the audience. The movies, analysed include, Spellbound, Vertigo, Strangers on a Train, Rope and Rebecca. The Archetypes involved include, The Female Hero, The Femme Fatale and The Seeker. The research is done on Analytical and Descriptive basis.

Keywords: Archetypes, Women, Character Building

Edition: Volume 9 Issue 1, January 2020,

Pages: 1777 - 1780