Text Response Draft

Topic: How does Hitchcock suggest that there is a strong connection between our public and private lives?

-Influence of external ideology (societal norms and pressures) on private lives (lisa and conforming to ideals)

-Voyeurism of public activities is pursued by Jeff because he see that public events can influence his private life and
safety.

- Choosing to be Disconnected with others in private life, causes public isolation and negative perceptions.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window attempts to elaborate upon the complex links with exist between an individual’s
public and private life. While most believe that it is essential to keep one’s personal matters separate from the public
affairs, they fail to recognise the mutual influence which both domains have on each other. It is the external social
climate of the impersonal world which undoubtedly forces individuals to change aspects of their personal life. The
very fact that individuals are positioned to make changes in response to changes in the public arena is accentuated
by Alfred Hitchcock through his characters interactions in response to societal pressures, the pursuit of voyeurism
out of self-interest and the impact of choosing to maintain disconnectedness between members of a society.

Hitchcock initially asserts that the existence of social norms which individuals are forced into accepting to appease
the public is also impacting their private lives. This is made evident through the character of Lisa who is initially
represented as a female who is keenly interested in pursuing a married relationship with L.B Jefferies regardless of
his objections. Her continual pestering directed towards Jeff is the by-product of the expectations of the time where
women are supposed to marry and manage domestic responsibilities. These public ideals have permeated her
personal life at the expense of complete freedom and clearly highlights the fortified connection between an
individual’s private and public lives. Similarly, Stella’s description of Jeff’s reluctance to marry as “abnormal” affirms
the notion that public ideology seeps into personal life where the individual is forced to confront publicly imposed
values. In fact, Hitchcock uses Stella as a symbol for the public as her opinions are considered ‘time-appropriate’ and
her interaction with Jeff at a personal level alludes to the interconnected nature of the public and private life.
However, Hitchcock addresses the maximum extent to which both worlds can act on each other through the actions
of Miss Lonelyhearts. Her continued pursuit of a relationship regardless of her relatively old age and her many
failures and dismal moods brought upon by them is a direct consequence of the public life intruding the personal life
and highlights the degree of connection between them. The very fact that she was willing to commit suicide due to
not meeting public ideals only further fortifies the existence of a relationship between personal and external
environments.

The exploration of the concept of voyeurism and its implementation in life is highlighted by Hitchcock to
demonstrate the connection which exists between the public and private life. Essentially, voyeurism is not only
depicted as a form of entertainment through Jeff but also represents the pursuit of knowledge which lies beyond the
personal realm. During his time in his apartment, he is resorted to getting out of his “swamp of boredom”. However,
his lack of interaction with the external world during his recuperation is encouraged by is desire to be safe, not only
to engage himself in entertainment. By being a voyeur, he is obtaining information about the state of the public and
he finds this necessary as what happens outside can influence his life. His almost obsessive pursuit of Mr Thorwald
reflects his intention to prevent the public life from interfering with his personal life. This parallels with an
individual’s inclination to be voyeurs as they are interested in what is happening externally. By acting as a voyeur, he
is forced to connect what is happening in the public with his personal life. Hitchcock intends to show that no matter
what an individual does, the ultimate desire to preserve the personal life will involve meddling with the public
environment.
Hitchcock also brings to light the involvement of disconnectedness between members of society and how it is
present due to the desire of individuals to remain separate and occupied by their own interests. The setting used by
Hitchcock, with its widely spaced out apartments and block-shapes minimising interaction with neighbours, is
suggestive of aloofness between individuals and the distinction between keeping the private life away from the
public’s eye. However, the decision to remain isolated reflects on the overall climate of the public environment
where public relationships are not valued. The very fact that choosing to remain isolated is impacting on the mood of
the public area affirms the strong connection which exists between the two. This is further affirmed by the
impassioned outcry from the old lady with the dog who criticises her neighbours for not knowing the definition of
the word neighbour. This response is a result of prolonged disconnectedness between people and Hitchcock asserts
the idea that the public and private life does have a strong connection. This is shown by the emotional stress
experienced by individuals such as the old lady who recognise the society is more linked than generally thought by
people.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window proposed that in society, the private and public dimension is interconnected in
many ways that it cannot be kept separate from each other. While many individuals are willing to forego forming
connections with things outside the private world, the powerful connection between the two is examined by
Hitchcock through the forceful nature of societal values on individuals, the presence of disconnect between
individuals and how being a voyeur is a hallmark of societal connection. Overall, it was Hitchcock’s intention to
instruct the audience about invaluable connections which exists between both worlds and how it must be
maintained fo r society to be fruitful.

To what extent do the female characters of the film both criticise the values of their world, yet also act as guides for
the male characters?

-Criticism of contemporary relationships (stella and Jeff) and instructs how it should be (using herself as an example)
-Criticism of Voyeurism (peeping toms).
-Stella and Lisa take the initiative to investigate the murder (squeamish) (guide for males)
-The old lady criticising lack of neighbourhood. (criticising values)
-Use of female intuition to guide males and criticise domestication values.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window situates women in a position where they are not only able to present their opinion
and criticisms of the social constructs of their time but to also have a considerable degree of influence on the male
gender. The film consists of independent and strong-willed women who are not reluctant to voice their concerns
about the decay of relationship and community ideals, voyeurism and belittlement of the opinions of women. In the
capacity of an influencer, the women have displayed initiative which the men have not displayed and have
successfully applied their feminine knowledge to allow progress in solving problems.

There is prominent critical discussion in the film concerning the inimical nature of relationships constituting 1950’s
America as well as negative remarks about voyeuristic behaviours from the female perspective. Female characters
recognised the decline of relationships and Hitchcock implemented Stella as a tool to criticise this aspect of life.
Initially, L.B Jefferies is seen to be treating relationships of the time being rudimentary and lacking substance. His
cynical view of human interaction and the repulsive attitude he displays is criticised by Stella. She displays her
frustration with this contemporary attitude of treating human unions by describing his attitude as that of ‘examining’
a ‘specimen’. The detestation present in her tone and her unwillingness to listen to Jeff’s irrational opinions
somewhat functions as guidance for Jeff when it comes to relationships. He is more willing to accommodate Lisa into
his life when he decides to minimise the treatment of relationships in a rational manner. Furthermore as a guide for
Jeff, she details her own life experience of meeting her husband like ‘two cars crashing together on Broadway’. The
smiles and vibrant tone with which she says this allows Jeff to appreciate her input on a topic and highlights the
extent of impact female characters have on the males. As a lady, she is also very critical of Jeff’s voyeuristic
tendencies. She speaks in a pedagogical manner when detailing the ‘new York state sentence’ for a ‘peeping tom’.
This accentuates the female criticism of voyeurism as an unfavourable act that must not be tolerated. The continual
pestering attitude which Stella adopts against Jeff when she calls him a ‘window shopper’ highlights the great extent
to which females are willing to criticise values of the world. The resolution and determination with which Stella is
able to impart disapproval only clarifies the position which females are capable of imposing their ideas on social
beliefs and opinions.

Hitchcock also ensures that women are portrayed in such a way that their capability to be a role-model for males are
made noticeable. While women of 1950’s America were expected to adhere to prescribed values and tenets,