"Psycho" Babble Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Dirty night."

Can Norman be referring to the dirty night as a time for his dirty deeds?
It certainly is dirty for Marion, who is tired after driving so long and is left to honk for some service when she first arrives. Too bad Marion doesn't have ESP, or she could be safely on her way back home.

Answer: "I've caused you some trouble."

Mother must be taking over at that moment, as Norman backs off when Marion suggests they go ahead in her room and eat the supper. Norman tries to explain that his mother isn't quite herself and he wishes he could apologize for other people. Norman's obsession with his mother leaves him unable to have complete emotions for other women.

Answer: "You eat like a bird."

The birds on the parlor wall represent the frenzy in Norman's life. They are highlighted again as Arbogast is looking for Norman when he returns to the motel. Norman's victims get a bizarre sense when they notice the stuffed creatures, as if they know there is something peculiar going on. Norman notes to Marion that he can only stuff birds because they are passive.

Answer: "A boy's best friend is his mother."

Even though Mrs. Bates maligns and dominates her son, Norman still feels the need to protect and respect her. Other dominating mothers to send chills: Jude Madigan in "Mother's Boys", Lucy Harben in "Straight Jacket", Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest", Martha Baring in "Hush" Rita Donahue in "Empty Cradle" (this woman faked births and stole babies) and Alice Pressman in "Anguish" Margaret White in "Carrie". Norman, you're lonely but not alone!

Answer: "I'm looking for a private island."

Marion opens up to Norman for a second but then becomes closed when he asks her what she is running away from. Norman has no idea she is being sought by an investigator or what she has done. He realizes that people never run away from anything but are caught in their own private traps.

Answer: "Couldn't you put her somewhere?"

You really start to notice the depth of Norman's disposition as he leans forward in a "How dare you" manner towards Marion after she risks lending him some support. The strings cut in as he does this, adding to the thrill of the moment. The wailing score, added to black and white format, creates a sinister atmosphere.

Norman does stand up to his mother telling her to "Shut up". Sam questions Norman about leaving the motel while searching for Marion. No one knows about the fruit cellar before Lila Crane, Marion's sister, finds it at the end of the movie.

Answer: A madhouse

Norman himself was the one in a madhouse but of course he can't divulge this to Marion. This is later pointed out by his psychiatrist in a spine chilling climax. Do you remember the madhouse in "Shock Treatment" with Stuart Whitman and Roddy McDowell?

Answer: "point their blaming fingers"

"People always mean well," Norman says. "They click their thick tongues and shake their heads and suggest, oh so delicately!" Norman seems to be having a flashback and we are led to believe it was his mother enduring this torture. Things take an alarming turn in the finale and everything you ever knew about mothers and sons goes out the window.

The people that Norman are talking about are medical and law officials that dealt with his crimes.

Answer: "Yes, sometimes just once is enough."

At that moment, Marion has insight and time to reconsider her actions. She has decided to return to Phoenix and pull herself out of the trap she stepped into. If only she had stayed out of that shower. It was sad that she would have righted her wrong and didn't have the chance.

Answer: "A son is a poor subsitute for a lover."

In "Psycho 4: The Beginning", the roots of the devastation and humiliation brought upon Norman by his mother and her boyfriend are highlighted. Norman hates this invader that his mother has brought into their home. You can see the hatred in his eyes and hear the protest in his voice as he speaks this line. At that point, we don't know the circumstances of the dissatisfaction.