Shdow of a Doubt

Films give a vivid depiction of themes through cinematic effects. Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt is no different. The film lends itself to two interpretations. The Catholic interpretation forces the audience to look at the characters in terms of good and bad. This interpretation focuses on the themes of original sin, loss of innocence, the fallen world, and the exchange of guilt. All of the themes relate to one another and make it obvious that the characters are struggling with certain issues pertaining to religious aspects that determine good and evil. Hitchcock wonderfully composes cinematic effects to intertwine the above-mentioned themes. There is an apparent dividing line between good and evil in this film, therefore using the themes, the viewer can make a connection with the Catholic interpretation.

The theme of original sin is expressed first through a particular, and then through a generality. The particular would be namely Uncle Charlie’s character. The Bible directly states that murder is a sin through the Thirteenth Commandment, which states, “Thou shall not kill.” However, murder is questionably unethical in the realm of Uncle Charlie’s character. Through his speech at the dinner table, it is evident that Uncle Charlie feels he has some sort of justification for his crimes.

“Women keep busy in towns like this. In cities it’s different. The cities are full of women…middle-aged, widows, husbands dead, husbands who’ve spent their lives making fortunes, working and working. They die and leave their money to their wives, their silly wives. And what do the wives do, these useless women? You see them in

hotels, the best hotels, everyday by the thousands…drinking the money, eating the money, losing the money at bridge, playing all day and all night…smelling of money…proud of their jewelry but of nothing else. Horrible! Faded, fat, greedy women!”

Uncle Charlie’s standard of women causes him to find validation for his murderous ways. He no longer sees the women as living, breathing, human beings, but as slothful, gluttonous, money-mongers.

“Are they human or are they fat, wheezing animals? Hmm? And what happens to animals when they get too fat and too old?”

It is a sin to be exorbitantly greedy, however it is also a sin to be murderous, therefore the film raises the question of does either sin have precedence over the other. The theme of original sin also ties into that of the fallen world. Because of the presence of original sin, Uncle Charlie feels that the world is in a state of utter discord because the values of society have been skewed.

There is definitely a loss of innocence on both the particular and the general spectrum. First, the particular would be conveyed through Charlie’s character. Charlie is portrayed as a naпve yet inquisitive young woman in the beginning of the film. Charlie’s character in the beginning of the film is mirrored with her younger sister Anne. Anne is on a constant quest for knowledge and Charlie becomes consumed by the quest for truth. As Charlie begins discovering the truth about her Uncle Charlie she makes a progression into adulthood.