Alfred
Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”
Each apartment window offers Jeff a different interpretation on ideas of marriage or single life. Let’s take a closer look at
each:
The couple with the dog: Outwardly seem very content
with life and marriage which Jeff interprets as a bore. There is a climax in the
story when the couples dog is also murdered (straggled to death in the
Thorwalds back year) everyone comes to their window except Thorwald which
remains mysteriously in his apartment with all the lights out except the bright
red burning end of a cigarette . Jeff knows right away that Thorwald did it, which
leads him to his next conclusion about the flowers and something being buried
there.
Miss Torso: Throughout the whole movie Miss Torso is
portrayed as a beautiful, carefree, single ballet dancer who dances throughout
the day and entertains throughout the night. Many man lusts after her and Jeff
is annoyed by her ability to eat all the time and seem so carefree. However, at
the very end of the movie it is revealed that she has been waiting on a solider
to return home from war.
Miss Lonelyhearts: Jeff might perceive Miss
Lonelyhearts as a future Lisa if he chooses not to marry her. She will be very
sad, lonely, and broken hearted.
The Composer: The composer starts to write a song at
the beginning of the movie which Lisa is very intrigued by and tells Jeff that
the song is meant for them. At the end of the movie the song captures Miss
lonelyhearts and brings her back from the brink of suicide, brings pride to the
composer with the knowledge that it changed Miss Lonelyhearts life and together
they find comfort in each other. I image that the success of the song, the fact
that he finishes it, and that Lisa feels like it is meant for her and Jeff
might allude to the idea that Jeff and Lisa are meant for each other. In the
credits for the movie this song is called “Lisa’s theme.”
The newlyweds: The newlyweds might have given Jeff
the idea that at first they were so sweet and perfect for each other. They spent
almost the entire time in the bedroom with the blinds drawn. Jeff sees them and
envies that for a moment and thinks maybe he wants that. However, by the end of
the movie Jeff can start to see that his wife nags too.
The Thorwalds: To start with Jeff relates to Mr.
Thorwald and maybe even feeling sorry for him because of his nagging wife. Jeff’s
idea of marriage is reflected back from the Thorwalds marriage. Mr. Thorwald
murdered his wife which actually brings Jeff and Lisa together. Lisa takes
several risks to help Jeff prove the murder but I think she was also trying to
prove something to Jeff as well. 1. She brings one suite case to live out of
for a night. 2. She sneaks into Thorwalds back yard to dig up the flowers and
when she doesn’t find anything she breaks into his apartment. 3. Thorwald catches
her and Jeff is beside himself –a moment of clarity for his feelings for Lisa-
Jeff is willing to risk life and limb to protect Lisa and to bring the murderer
Thorwald to justice. Many things happen with the development of the story and Jeff
and Lisa’s relationship.
By the end of the movie each apartment is defined by
some sort of relationship or lack of, although Hitchcock leaves his audience
still hanging on the definition of Jeff and Lisa’s relationship. It is evident
that they are content and that the hunt to bring Thorwald to justice did bring
them together, however to what extent, and will marriage be in future? If one
was to consider that Hitchcock leaves everyone’s relationship as together and
on good terms then one might interpret that as marriage for Jeff and Lisa.
