The Destruction and Re-creation of the 'Hitchcock Blonde' in "The Birds and Marnie"

Bachelor Thesis , 2011 , 21 Pages , Grade: 2,3

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

In my bachelor thesis I want to focus on the destruction and recreation of the “Hitchcock Blonde” in The Birds and Marnie. Hitchcock’s preference for blonde women appears like a leitmotif through all his films. As director he has the possibility to act out his position of power towards the Blonde. At first, Hitchcock creates her after his imaginations, then destructs her and finally builds her up again. Primarily in The Birds it becomes clear.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The role of the Hitchcock Blonde
  • Dial M for Murder
  • Rear Window
• New approaches:
  • The Birds (1963)
  • Marnie (1964)
• The destruction and re-creation of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in:
  • The destruction and re-creation of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in The Birds
  • The destruction and re-creation of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in Marnie
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This bachelor thesis examines the destruction and recreation of the "Hitchcock Blonde" character archetype in Alfred Hitchcock's films *The Birds* and *Marnie*. The paper analyzes how Hitchcock utilizes blonde women as both objects of his cinematic power and as protagonists who ultimately defy his control.

• The portrayal of the "Hitchcock Blonde" character archetype
• The evolution of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in Hitchcock's filmography
• The destruction and re-creation of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in *The Birds* and *Marnie*
• The role of gender and power dynamics in Hitchcock's films
• The use of suspense and psychological manipulation in Hitchcock's work

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Alfred Hitchcock's career, highlighting his signature themes and techniques, including the use of suspense, the "MacGuffin" device, and the exploration of anxiety, blame, and the loss of identity. The introduction also introduces the concept of the "Hitchcock Blonde" as a key motif in Hitchcock's filmography.
• The role of the Hitchcock Blonde: This chapter explores the role of the "Hitchcock Blonde" in two of Hitchcock's earlier films, *Dial M for Murder* and *Rear Window*. The chapter analyzes the archetypal traits of the "Hitchcock Blonde," exemplified by Grace Kelly's performance in *Dial M for Murder*, and how these traits contribute to the films' themes of suspense, manipulation, and power dynamics.
• New Approaches: This chapter examines the evolution of the "Hitchcock Blonde" archetype in Hitchcock's later films, focusing on *The Birds* and *Marnie*. The chapter explores how Hitchcock utilizes blonde women as protagonists who are subjected to both physical and psychological violence while also displaying resilience and agency.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This bachelor thesis focuses on Alfred Hitchcock's filmography, analyzing the evolution of the "Hitchcock Blonde" character archetype in his films. The paper examines the interplay of gender, power dynamics, suspense, and psychological manipulation in Hitchcock's work, with a particular focus on *The Birds* and *Marnie*. Key terms include: Hitchcock Blonde, blonde women, character archetype, gender, power dynamics, suspense, psychological manipulation, *The Birds*, and *Marnie*.

• College: University of Hildesheim (Institut für Anglistik)
• Grade: 2,3
• Author: Beatrice Hölting (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V195750
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656217626
• ISBN (Book): 9783656218487
• Language: English
• Tags: destruction, re-creation, hitchcock, blonde, birds, marnie