The Dilemma of Prying Tony XT Yan 11th Grade

Hitchcock’s classic thriller ‘Rear Window’ demonstrates the perception that people should look into themselves to solve an issue, instead of focusing attention on others. For example, as Jeff becomes more involved with spying on others, he crosses the boundaries of what is morally acceptable. Jeff’s deliberate desire to delve into the lives of his neighbors is a ploy to distract himself from his impending commitment to Lisa. Furthermore, Hitchcock’s techniques of cinematography positions the viewer to share the protagonist's’ perspective.

Hitchcock uses the protagonist Jeff to portray the ethical dilemma of voyeurism and its serious consequences. This is first foreshadowed by Stella, as she warns Jeff he is becoming a “race of Peeping Toms”. Her critical analysis lays first impressions of Jeff to the viewers. Through the specially crafted scene, Hitchcock explicitly demonstrates that although Jeff is physically restrained, his attention is clearly elsewhere, outside his apartment. For example, in the introduction scene, the audience is shown Jeff’s disorganized apartment and his professional photojournalist equipment, cuing into his later use of the long focus lens. This idea is further supported by the mise-en-scene, that Jeff...