Voyeurism in “Rear Window”

Jefferies in this film exposes himself as being voyeuristic or what some like to call a peeping tom. I believe this is something that comes natural to Jefferies as a pleasure because he is a photographer for profession. Photographers are naturally very observable to the environment around them. In this case Jefferies shows his level of pleasure in observing others through his rear window.

I do not think it’s any coincidence that Jefferies’ apartment has the ability to look through a lot of other people’s apartment. It’s fascinating that us the viewers are pretty much put in the same scenario as Jefferies is in the film. Hitchcock has managed where both the viewer and Jefferies are both peeping at same people and speculating the situations, they’re in, all while staying anonymous to those same people.

This film shows that voyeurism is a common pleasure among all walks of life. It’s natural for you to be intrigued with how others live their day to day lives. Hitchcock shows the curiosity many people have and watching other people is a result of that. I think one major reason why this movie is so acclaimed is because voyeurism is not often discussed and some would say frowned upon.