To Catch a Thief Literary Elements

To Catch a Thief Literary Elements

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Leading Actors/Actresses

Cary Grant, Grace Kelly

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Brigitte Auber

Genre

Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Language

English

Awards

Won One Academy Award: Best Cinematography, Color

Date of Release

1955

Producer

Alfred Hitchcock

Setting and Context

French Riviera post World War II

Narrator and Point of View

Point of view is that of John Robie

Tone and Mood

Mysterious, Dramatic, Romantic

Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist is John Robie. Antagonist is Danielle.

Major Conflict

Someone is robbing fine jewels all along the French Riviera and it appears to be The Cat, John Robie, but he knows it is an impostor and he must prove so.

Climax

Danielle is caught attempting her last robbery on the roof at the masquerade party, and Robie makes her admit she is the thief to clear his name before saving her life.

Foreshadowing

The cat on the roof at the beginning of the film foreshadows there will be mystery ahead.

Understatement

It's understated that Danielle is the daughter of a man who Robie apparently betrayed.

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

N/A

Allusions

Robie in relationship to the workers at the restaurant is an allusion to those who must pay a price for their crimes long-term and those who fall into a bed of feathers.

Paradox

Frances and her mother are apparently high-class aristocrats from America but paradoxically enjoy the thrill of crime.

Parallelism

The opening scene of the black cat parallels the closing scene of Robie chasing down Danielle dressed in all black.

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