Themes and Plot Devices in The Films of Alfred Hitchcock - The Double

The Double

Hitchcock often used "the double" in his films as a way to represent the relationship between characters. One representation of "the double" has both characters sharing the same desire however only one of them takes action. In Strangers On A Train, Bruno carries out the plot of murdering Guy's wife, just the way Guy would like to do it. Also in Rope, Brandon Shaw and Philip Morgan kill an inferior human being just the way their teacher Rupert Cadell would like to do it. In Psycho, Marion Crane steals $40,000 and plans on running away just the way Norman Bates would like to run away from his mother. These characters are in the same situation but are completely different personalities.

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