An analysis of the auction scene to North by Northwest

An analysis of the auction scene to North by Northwest North by Northwest was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The auction scene is a 'set piece' which is a technique frequently used by Hitchcock in many of his films. The set piece does certain things. It is in a specific and closed location, it also creates and/or answers certain enigmas, and it leads to a climax-especially in visual terms, and frequently a turning point in the narrative and lastly puts the hero in danger. The auction sequence begins with a musical segue as he enters the building, this is used to create a flowing motion rather than one that stops and starts. It is important to note that Thornhill (Cappalin) is purposely putting himself into danger-why is he doing this-an enigma is created in the audiences mind. We then cut to a CU of a mans hand dominating round a woman's shoulder-Ms Kendall. This signifies his masculinity and power that he has over her-it is quite ambiguous. The camera zooms out to reveal three people surrounding her-she is encoded and represented to be very weak. The collection of three people in this way is known as a triumvirate. After a tracking shot there is then a revealing one, which exposes our hero-Thornhill. He is in the p