Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films The Weight of Memory in Hitchcock’s “Rebecca” (1940)
Mar 17, 2025
Dive into the complexities of Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rebecca,' where themes of memory and haunting legacies dominate. The hosts unpack the film's intricate character dynamics, including the unnamed protagonist's struggles with identity and societal expectations. They draw amusing parallels between Rebecca and fairy tales, revealing elements of envy and transformation. The discussion extends to the intriguing relationships between characters, especially the unsettling bond between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca. It's a captivating exploration of past traumas and class struggles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Rebecca As Haunted Legacy
- Rebecca functions as a living legacy that haunts Manderley and its inhabitants throughout the film.
- The film blends love story, ghost story, and courtroom melodrama to explore that weight.
Casting Tensions Behind Rebecca
- Wes and Erin recount Joan Plowright's recent death and ties to Laurence Olivier, invoking second-wife dynamics.
- They link on-set tensions (Olivier's affair with Vivien Leigh) to Joan Fontaine's ostracism during filming.
Name And Monogram As Power
- The second Mrs. de Winter remains unnamed onscreen, emphasizing her loss of identity in the house.
- The film foregrounds Rebecca's name and monogram as symbols that dominate identity and space.
