The analysis of the Film “Psycho"
Psycho is a 1960 film directed by recognized director Alfred Hitchcock. The movie is a psychological thriller. Hitchcock works on his films often relies on creating a balance between tension and horror while capitalizing on the benefits of the two genres which is evident in Psycho. The film was based on a 1959 novel by the same name written by Robert Bloch. Hitchcock’s convey a theme grounded in the subconscious conflict between good and evil that exists in every individual. In the opening scene the seemingly omnipresent camera captures the view of the city and appears to choose one of the many buildings and focus on one of the many windows, and that is when viewers meet Sam and Marion. The random selection creates normalcy with the idea anyone was, in fact, a choice.
The movie is about Marion, a young lady who steals from her employer’s client and goes on the run. Marion journey takes her to Bates Motel where the motel owner Norman Bates has an interesting relationship with his mother. When the audience meets Marion and Norman together, it can identify with him as he appears shy and a good conversationalist. However, when Marion suggests that Norman’s mother should be in a mental facility, Norman becomes angry and particularly frightening (Hitchcock, 1960). Marion is killed while in the bathroom within the first half an hour of the movie. It is deductible Norman’s mother murdered Marion and Norman is seen cleaning the scene which enhances the notion he is his mother’s puppet. However, later it is revealed Norman has a split personality and often dresses up like his mother to kill people he believes his mother does not like. The audience learns Noman has kept his mother’s dead body. Eventually, Norman is arrested when Sam saves Marion’s sister from death at the hand of a dressed up Norman.
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Psycho is appreciated as a frightening insinuating thriller since Hitchcock capitalizes on the setup of Marion’s theft and the association between Marion and Norman. There is a lot of suspense in the course of the film as Marion initially worries about her crime and eventually as the audience anticipates Noman’s actions. The scene of Marion death in the bathroom is not graphic but symbolic. The part does not show the wound but rather the blood and Marion’s screams coupled with Bernard Herrmann’s soundtrack ultimately showcasing Hitchcock focus on art. Throughout the movie, Hitchcock tends to manipulate the feelings of the audience for instance, creating likeability for Norman despite his actions.
Psycho remains popular more than half a century after its production due to its universality. Hitchcock’s work on the film allows the audience to not only view and identify with the contrasting personalities of the main characters but also to become subjective characters.
Pluto’s and Aristotle Views on How We Fall in Love
According to Pluto, the process of falling in love involves several stages. In the first stage, good looks and attraction are particularly important. At this point, we will move from one person to another since physical beauty is not limited to one person. The next step involves the realization that the beauty of the soul is more important than mere physical attraction. The next phase consists of the appreciation of social and moral goodness and considerations of the beauty of foundations in the society (Amir, 2001). The next level involves the study of science and acquisition of knowledge which at this point we are free of the individual instance of beauty whether it is the beauty of the body, soul or societal circumstances. At this juncture, we find the beauty that surpasses all three which is eternal and unique. It is worth mentioning Pluto believes romantic love (eros) comes before friendship (philia), and eventually, the two aspects feed each other.
Aristotle, on the other hand, will emphasize the importance of true friendship (Philia) in love. Aristotle definition of love insists love is unequivocally and emphatically altruistic indicating one person wishes and acts in efforts of realizing good things for other’s sake. Indeed Aristotle contends this is the definition of true friendship as such his focus on falling in love involving finding a true friend (Konstan, 2008). A friend that is merely a “friend” to derive utility or pleasure is not a true friend. Additionally, Aristotle describes love as a settled intention rather than sentiment or feeling. The purpose involves valuing the well-being of the other. Aristotle believes knowing one’s character is fundamental in loving the person and acting in their interest without expectations. Aristotle thinks we fall in love through true friendship and we find true friendship through knowing a one’s personality and wishing them good. Therefore, Aristotle idea on love insists friendship (philia) leads to (eros) in contrast with Pluto's.
Pluto’s and Aristotle ideas on how we fall in love remain relevant as Aristotle idea refers to modern-day marriage as a ‘friendship of convenience’ where the husband and wife derive pleasure and utility from each other. Pluto’s concept illustrates falling in love as a long process, and many fundamentally remain on the second and third stages explaining why divorce rates are high and how a person can move from one husband to another.
Comparison of Two Poems
The poems “love inconsistency” and “After great pain, a formal feeling comes” are typically short poems that explore different types of anguish. “Love inconsistency” by Petrarch centers on the theme of failed love. Petrarch remarks on the sorrow he feels for loving one who cannot return the feeling, but he hopes to survive and enjoy the feeling of loving his beloved. Emily Dickinson’s “After great pain a formal feeling comes” revolves around the subject of pain. Essentially the poem seeks to explain what it is like to experience pain that Dickson describes as “formal feeling.”
Dickinson’s poem explores the subject of pain using jocularity, irony and applies a distinct ambiguity that she creates by applying mythological, biblical and earthly symbols such as the mentions of tombs. In the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to express her anguish. She uses words like formal, stiff, and ceremonious to explain the numbness that results from the pain. For instance, in the second stanza, the comparison of the insensitivity to quartz expresses how dire the situation is. Likewise, Petrarch applies the use of imagery to describe his anguish for instance, “I fear and hope, I burn and freeze.” Petrarch employs irony to illustrate how he is incapable of escaping what he feels.
The poem by Dickinson has both slant and full rhymes found in two lines. While "Love inconsistency" has a full rhyme in several lines. Dickinson applies both metaphors for instance quartz is linked to contentment, and the metaphor is compared to a stone “like a stone” There is a distinctive difference in language between the two poems illustrating the time difference, that is, Petrarch works in the 14th century and Dickinson in the 19th century.
The poem “Love inconsistency” endorses the pain and joy of the phenomenon of being in love while Dickinson poem recognizes the vulnerable emotional state that individual experiences after surviving a significant trauma or profound guilt. Both of these subjects are evident in the modern society as such showcasing why these poems remain relevant.
Comparing Music
Beethoven composed violin romance number 2 and published it in 1805. The F-major is a slow-tempo two-episode rondo. In the opening, the solo violin is played tenderly producing a smooth refrain melody featuring antecedent-consequent theme. However, the piece has dramatic moments that are often introduced by bold violin proclamations. In the next episode, there are significant, dramatic leaps shadowed by descending scales and arpeggios. Unlike the initial work in Beethoven violin romance, the second piece utilizes various minor keys. At the end of the section, one hears the effect of the violin’s three-note descent echoed by the strings including the woodwinds.
Maple Leaf Rag, on the other hand, is an early ragtime composition of the piano by Scott Joplin. It was produced in 1899 by Joplin’s publisher John Stark. Ragtime is music blended March tempos, minstrel-show songs, and syncopated rhythms. Like other ragtime, Joplin created a piece that is multi-strain ragtime march with the bass line and intertwining offbeat melodies. Maple leaf rag was more cautiously composed with innovative syncopations especially the transition between the first and second strain. Later in 1903, Stark released lyrics for maple leaf rag that were written by Sydney Brown. Ragtime analysts insist the lyrics of the song compare to modern rap due to the theme of love and the nature of language that illustrated African-American English vernacular of the 19th century.
Despite the decline of ragtime after the first half of the 20th century, Maple Leaf Rag remains the most popular due to Joplin musical imagination which gave ragtime its most exceptional hit. Indeed, Maple Leaf Rag jump-started the careers of famous musicians such as Gershwin and Mingus. Likewise, the popularity of Beethoven violin romance number two is due to the composer’s effort to produce an art piece that was revolutionary and applied musical forms to unleash emotions. Additionally, the fact that Beethoven published the composition at a period when he was gradually losing his hearing continues to inspire musicians.
Harry Potter as a Classical Hero
The term classical represents an exemplary customary within an old-fashioned and time-honored style. In this particular sense, a classical hero is a hero that follows the traditional, long-established heroism. Joseph Campbell book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” contends that all classical heroes follow three distinct stages in their journeys. The processes include departure, initiation, and return (Indick, 2004). Harry is a classical hero because he comes from the ordinary world and later realizes he has wizard abilities. The arrival of a mysterious letter initiated Harry's “departure”. Harry leaves for the magical world Hogwarts School of Wizardry where Albus Dumbledore trains him. The initiation stage involves the classical hero facing a lot of obstacles to prove he is worthy. Harry Potter is concerned with dealing with friendships, romance, education and the ultimate responsibility of confronting the villain Voldemort. The stage involves several challenges and the necessity to prove one’s capability. In the return stage, it is necessary for the heros to accept their responsibility. Through the discovery of his past, Harry decides he has to face Voldemort. The return stage also manifests when the magical trains take all the students from the magical world back to the real world. The story ends with Harry as a famous hero that defeated the villain and ready to lead a normal life.
The comparison of modern-day character to a classical hero illustrates how heroic stories continue to be enjoyed by readers and viewers alike. A modern day hero often refers to an individual who stands out. However, Harry Potter is an implausible hero who starts the story as an ordinary eleven-year-old that grows to be a powerful wizard that saves the magical world from the enemy. The character of Harry Potter as a classical wizard provide evidence that anyone can be a hero.
References
Amir, L. (2001). Plato's theory of love: Rationality as Passion . Practical Philosophy , 6-14.
Hitchcock , A. (Director). (1960). Psycho [Motion Picture].
Indick , W. (2004). Classical heroes in modern movies: Mythological patterns of the superhero. Journal of Media Psychology, 9 (3), 1-14.
Konstan , D. (2008). Aristotle on love and friendship. Philia in Aristotle's Philosophy , (pp. 207-212).
