Archetypal And Marxist Criticism In The Rear Window By Alfred Hitchcock

Analyzing the film, “The Rear Window” by Alfred Hitchcock, as it progresses through both the Archetypal and Marxist Criticisms, the use of archetypes adds deeper meaning and the lack of Marxism in the portrayed society prove that money and social connections are not needed to achieve something. The archetypal characters and images are portrayed in order to hint at further meanings and cause certain tones include the character archetypes used and the archetypal imagery of darkness. Moreover, the lack of Marxist values is also expressed in the film as each time a Marxist value is expressed, the notion is turned down by another character, including attempts to impress, use networking for self-benefit, and using money to stop someone from digging

Thorwald and his bedridden wife, expressing his archetype and lack of Marxist values. Jeff, an injured, adventurous photographer, witnesses Thorwald making multiple trips in the rain with a large metal suitcase and, with self-motivation and self-initiative, decides to investigate the man. Combining his adventurous occupation of photographing dangerous accidents and events with his investigation of his neighbor, Jeff is an adventurer archetype who will go at great lengths to overcome something, including a mystery. True to his archetype, he also has difficulty settling down and committing to someone, which explains his ignorance of his girlfriend’s advances and display of power. Jeff is approached by his girlfriend, Lisa, who expresses her power and wealth through expensive clothing to try and impress Jeff. As suggested by the Marxist Criticism, happiness is the result of power, which is influenced by money and social connections. By flaunting her two thousand dollar dress to Jeff, she attempts to showcase her power and happiness to Jeff to impress him. However, by ignoring her advances, viewers see the explorer archetype in Jeff and his lack of Marxist values. So, through Jeff’s actions and character, Jeff embodies the explorer archetype which includes his aversion to commitment, even if it is to his powerful and

Thorwald and has a final confrontation with the man, revealing further archetypes and the lack of Marxist values. After climbing a fire escape into Mr. Thorwald’s room, Lisa is caught by Mr. Thorwald who forcefully grabs her. The lights click off, leaving Thorwald with Lisa in the dark, an archetypal image conveying mystery and horror. Such horror is accentuated by Lisa’s screaming for help, setting her into the position of being a damsel in distress. The police come rushing in, and, after catching onto Jeff’s position in the investigation, Mr. Thorwald violently confronts Jeff. However, before he begins lashing out, Mr. Thorwald states that he has no money, if that is what Jeff wants. Through the Marxist Criticism, Mr. Thorwald is insinuating that Jeff equates money with happiness, which, as Jeff states, he does not want, supporting the lack of Marxism in the society portrayed. Therefore, analyzing the final arc of the investigation and the confrontation between Jeff and Mr. Thorwald, the use of archetypes adds further meaning and tones to the plot while the lack of Marxism shows that money does not solve