ERA 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945)
Alfred Hitchcock's America, by David Lehman
Guiding Questions
What can we infer about the culture of the United States from viewing and analyzing an Alfred Hitchcock film?
Question Focus Statement: Hitchcock’s films reflect the paranoia that lurked beneath the surface in post WW2 America.
Alfred Hitchcock
Teacher-to-Teacher
The article “Alfred Hitchcock’s America” is not only an excellent introduction to the career of one of the greatest and most acclaimed film directors of all time, it provides a springboard for discussion about the role of movies in American culture, especially in post WW2 American society.Exploring the cultural and economic impact of the film industry is another way to connect eras and help students make meaning of their own lives and the world around them. Analyzing transcripts of a lecture by and an interview with Alfred Hitchcock enable students to gain insight into the artist’s own perception of self and his work.
Literature Connections: Alfred Hitchcock’s America, by Murray Pomerance, Our Town, by Thornton Wilder