Themes, Symbols and Motifs in Vertigo

Click on this link to go to a SparkNotes website.  This is a very good resource, and this article covers many, but by no means all, of the themes, symbols and motifs in this film.

Story vs Plot in Hitchcock's Vertigo

Plot vs Story in Hitchcock’s Vertigo

 

1.    What ‘holes’ are identified in the plot of Vertigo?

2.    Why don’t the ‘holes’ in the plot matter?

3.    What was Hitchcock the ‘master’ of, according to the film?  (answer is not ‘suspense’ btw!)

4.    Explain in detail the distinction made between ‘plot’ and ‘story’.  What is the more important when analysing a Hitchcock film?

 

 

 

Academics discuss Vertigo

A very interesting discussion (it lasts for an hour and a half) between film academics who take a broadly psychoanalytical approach to Vertigo.  This gives you a good sense of the depth of analysis that is often undertaken in discussion of this film.  It is also a model of how to express differing points of view whilst at all times staying polite and civil.