There are two criminals in Psycho: Marion Crane, who steals a large sum of money, and Norman Bates, who's a mass murderer. Obviously, these aren't equal crimes. Norman Bates is a sicko, and Marion made a really bad decision.
Yet, Marion and Norman are still linked—not least in the fact that Norman ends up killing Marion, which functions as an ironic final punishment for her crimes. They both "go a little mad sometimes," which connects them. They may be on opposite ends of the criminality spectrum, but they're still on the spectrum.
Questions about Criminality
- Does Marion's nervousness about her crime brand her a criminal? Or does it show she's not a criminal? Explain your answer.
- Is Norman a bad person? Explain your answer.
- Marion has sex with Sam before marriage. Does Marion feel like that makes her a criminal? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
Take a peek at these thesis statements. Agree or disagree?
Marion's not really a criminal, and doesn't deserve to be punished.
Marion's a criminal and deserves to be punished.