Examples Of Voyeurism In Rear Window

Hitchcock’s Rear Window is often remembered due to its stark display of voyeurism and the moral ambiguities it provides. The main character, Jeff, is immobilized for the summer and in order to pass the time begins to follow the lives of his neighbors by spying on them. The obvious response is that this is spying and is thus immoral, however through his voyeurism Jeff is able to catch a murderer who would have otherwise gone free. However, beyond the voyeur exterior, Rear Window depicts the growth of Jeff. At the start he is an irresponsible and stubborn thrill-seeker, using his job and adventures to mask his insecurities with his own manhood and his fear of relationships. However, by the end of the movie he has come to terms with who is is
In fact, Jeff is the only character in the film (that we know of) who is watching everyone else, and therefore observing the juxtaposing relationships the way we are. Perhaps he is subconsciously aware of the similarities between his relationship with Lisa and the relationship of Lars Thornwald with Anna Thorwald. Certainly this would help to explain his aversion to the idea of marriage with Lisa. On some subconscious level, Jeff sees and understands that in his relationship, he is playing the role of Anna Thornwald, the victim. While he of course is sure of the fact that Lisa isn’t going to murder him, chop him into pieces, and bury him in the garden, that doesn’t mean he is certain of the stability of his power over her. Jeff wants to be the one in charge, not only in his relationship but in life in general. In a way, in his observing of this relationship, his possible identification with a woman who loses all authority and becomes subjected to the whims of her husband he realizes Lisa’s power: although she is not strong physically, she is not only intelligent but also persuasive and motivated. He realizes that his position is similar to Anna’s in that, if he gives Lisa the power (as Anna gave to Lars), he will be subjected to her whims (getting married, settling down, losing his life of adventure). This idea is abhorrent to him, as he is so intent on staying on top. Further though, he relates to Anna Thornwald in the fact that, even before she was murdered, she was confined to her bed and dependent on her husband. He is in a similar position, confined to his apartment and relying entirely on Stella and Lisa. Jeff, the man, is reliant on females to take care of him. To his adventurous and thrill seeking side, this is very emasculating. It’s adding insult to injury: not only is the adventurous thrill-seeker confined to his room, but he must also depend