How Does Hitchcock Create Suspense in a Key Scene?

How does Hitchcock create suspense in a key scene?

In Alfred Hitchcock’s psychosomatic thriller Rebecca, suspense is created to generate mystery, fear and intrigue for the viewer. The newly wedded couple of the second Mrs de Winter and Mr de Winter are in the motor car on their way to the reputable ‘Mandalay’, the grooms residence. The youthful protagonist is anxious for this will be the first time she will see the highly illustrious Mandalay. Upon approaching, there is a sudden downpour of rain setting a foreboding atmosphere and connoting to the nervousness of the protagonist. The crescendo in music, coupled with the beating rain and gasp from the protagonist reveals the home. However, the protagonist point-of-view shot of Mandalay is portrayed through the rainy windscreen, symbolizing a barrier between the protagonist and her new home. The use of an establishing shot exhibits the enormity of ‘Mandalay’ and its gothic architectural features through the pouring rain. Upon entering the residence, the protagonist and her husband are met with the many house workers, neatly standing in lines. A close up shot of the protagonist reveals how overwhelmed and out of place she feels in this situation, effectively making the audience feel similarly. This is furthered when the unwelcoming character of Ms Danvers is introduced. Immediately, portrayed through close up shots, there is felt an underlying tension between the characters and a power shift in favour of Ms Danvers, emphasizing the protagonists youth and insecurity. It is evident that the protagonist is clearly uncomfortable and unfamiliar with this decadent style of living shown through a panning shot, when she accidently drop’s her gloves on the ground, and the protagonist and Ms Danvers both drop to retrieve it. This symbolises her confused role in Mandalay. As the protagonist then slowly walks away, a zooming, close-up shot on Ms Danver’s tight-lipped face illustrates her uncertain and suspicious nature....