Cast of Characters

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh): A secretary who has worked at a Phoenix real estate office for the past 10 years and lives with her sister Lila. She and her boyfriend Sam Loomis are unable to marry due to financial pressures. When her boss asks her to deposit $40,000, she decides to steal the money and make a spontaneous journey to her boyfriend’s home in Fairvale, California. Along the way, she stops to spend the night at the Bates Motel. After talking with Norman Bates, Marion decides to return to Phoenix and face her problems head on. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins): Proprietor of the Bates Motel, which has been steadily losing customers ever since the main highway was moved to a different location. He invites Marion to share dinner with him and tells her about his mentally ill mother. Marion feels sympathy for Norman, who appears to be trapped and lonely. Their encounter inspires Marion to reconsider her theft and attempt to escape her own “trap,” prompting her decision to return to Arizona and pay back the $700 of $40,000 she has already spent. Sam Loomis (John Gavin): A divorced owner of a small business, Sam loves Marion but says he is unable to marry her until he has paid off his deceased father’s debts and his ex-wife’s alimony. Sam lives in Fairvale, California and can only meet Marion for the occasional romantic rendezvous. Lila Crane (Vera Miles): Marion’s sister, with whom she lives. Marion finds out that Lila will be spending the weekend in Tucson, and this knowledge in part inspires her sudden decision to flee Phoenix with the stolen $40,000. When Lila discovers that her sister is missing, along with the money she was supposed to deposit, she fears for Marion’s well-being and visits Sam in Fairvale. She and Sam both worry about Marion and work together to try to find her. Detective Arbogast (Martin Balsam): A private detective hired to find Marion and the money, he also arrives in Fairvale, at first suspecting that both Lila and Sam know more than they are saying. In particular, he believes Sam is secretly protecting and hiding Marion. He assures Sam and Lila that if Marion returns the money, no charges will be pressed. In his search for Marion, Arbogast arrives at the Bates Motel and in questioning Norman begins to believe that Marion’s disappearance can somehow be traced to her visit at the motel. He phones Lila to tell her that he believes Norman is hiding something and intends to question Norman’s mother. When he does not return to Fairvale within an hour, as promised, Lila and Sam become worried and go to the motel themselves to find out what happened. 1) Analyze the film’s complicated depiction of family life. 2) A motif is a recurring image or pattern with symbolic or thematic importance. Choose one or more of the film’s motifs and analyze their significance: 1) mirrors and reflections, 2) birds, 3) water, 4) brightness versus darkness. 3) Analyze the conversation shared by Norman and Marion in the motel’s parlor. What is revealed in this exchange? How does it help us understand Norman and Marion’s respective struggles and motivations? Do you think Marion is able, to some degree, to understand and sympathize with Norman? Why or why not? As you respond to these questions, consider in particular the following dialogue:                                                              

Sample Solution