Symbolism In The Film Vertigo

In many films, symbolism is an often-used tool that aide in making the viewing experience more profitable. One way the viewer is led to an in-depth understanding is to examine the scenes produced in the film that develop both firm and symbolic meanings. Studying what goes into the scene (Mise-en-Scene) in effect leads to this better understanding. In the film Vertigo, John Ferguson is asked to follow his friends’ wife, Madeleine Elster. As he follows her, there are intricate scenes that reveal essential details about the film. In the scene that John follows Madeleine to the flower shop, the viewer can interpret the objects in the set, the lighting, the actors, and how the camera is used, into helpful information that guides the rest of the film. While the viewer is aware of the

Madeleine wears a grey suit, which Johnny develops an infatuation for, along with the rest of Madeleine’s attributes. Nonetheless, the grey suit is kind of bland, and dull. It does not stand out, and gives her a ghostly appearance, which matches her morbid psych. Along with her attire, her makeup, and facial expressions she is not at all vibrant, to the extent that she looks ashen and ill. Johnny is wearing a brown suit and hat, that seems stereotypical of that era. It allows him to blend in, as he is following Madeleine, and it adds to his private detective persona.
For most of the film, Johnny is left in the dark, and is unknowingly helping to cover up the murder of Mr. Elster’s wife. A character named Judy, is made up to look like Madeleine Elster, and deceives Johnny into believing that she was suicidal. Madeleine is an example of “the Hitchcock blonde” which helps give her an innocent or pure personality. Ironically, Judy is a brunette, which society tends to associate with a more cunning, or crafty personality. Judy had fallen in love with Johnny and allowed him to make her up to be like Madeleine once again, which led to her