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Young Charlie possibly wanted a father figure


I know a lot of people have said that there was possible sexual tension between Young Charlie and Uncle Charlie. Knowing how "out there" Hitchcock was it would not put it past him to hint incest.

I also think that Charlie was also in need of a father figure. Even though Charlie has a father, it is evident in the film that the two don't have much of a relationship. The dad does not understand what his daughter wants and needs and does not bother to spend time with his kids. Even though Charlie is really smart, the father does not seem to be proud or enthiuastic the way most parents would. He comes home and does not have a real conversation with his family, he prefers talking about murder with his friend.

Let's also look at the physical constrast between her father and Charlie. Her dad is older,short, not handsome, looks out of shape and is stagnant. Charlie is the opposite where he is young, handsome, adventourous,and energetic.

I think that young Charlie saw her uncle as the opposite of what her family was and she yearned for his attention because she knew that it is what he can give to her.

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yes, or perhaps she is curious/hunger for adventure as their 'typical american family' who knows what's going to happen everyday, and see's her Uncle as someone who has traveled the globe as 'seen the world', and as he says he brought her a 'nightmare'... the final lines of the film: he said he hated the world and it's all evil, but the detective who's line of work see's the underbelly of the world everyday, says that is not far off, but the world needs 'watching'.

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Yes, Uncle Charlie offered the charisma Young Charlie’s life lacked, an intelligent and serious-minded young woman stuck in a dull little town with no career and no boyfriend. Yet she came to see that his outward appeal hid a sickening interior. Perhaps that is why she fell so suddenly for the detective Jack? On top of looks and charm, he offered moral rectitude with the gravitas of a man who had accepted heavy responsibilities (for once, Hitchcock seems to show us a decent cop). For Young Charlie, could he be both lover and replacement father? America at the time needed a lot of Jacks and a lot of Young Charlies for the deadly business of winning the war.

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He was proud of Charlie. He bragged about how smart she was.






Get me a bromide! And put some gin in it!

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He was proud of Charlie. He bragged about how smart she was.






Get me a bromide! And put some gin in it!

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