Hurley, Neil P. Soul in Suspense: Hitchcock's Fright and Delight. Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1993.

Chapter: “Mysticism of Numbers”

    In this chapter, Neil P. Hurley examines the numerology present in Hitchcock’s works. Hurley focuses on the numbers two, three, seven and thirteen, explaining their spiritual, mystical and religious meanings. He then discusses the use of these films through in-depth analyses of some of Hitchcock’s greatest works including Shadow of a Doubt, Psycho, Vertigo, Frenzy, The Trouble With Harry and The Birds. His analysis is interesting and a different way to look at things that seemed so minute. For instance, he argues that the three-storied home of Norman Bates is three-storied to fulfill a purpose of the number three, that of Freudian psychology. The basement represents the id, the ground floor represents the ego and the upper room represents the superego. Norman lives in the attic, which is beyond the id, ego and the superego and thus in an alternate, non-realistic universe. Hurley points out many other examples of the use of the numbers, visually (like Hitchcock’s own appearance in Strangers on a Train when he is playing cards and holding thirteen spades) and through the characters (like in Vertigo, Scottie Ferguson is grappling with the seven effects of vertigo: space, time, antiquities, social and personal interaction, psychology, philosophy and religion).
    In reference to dualities, Hurley references Spoto’s The Dark Side of Genius. Hurley argues that he agrees with Spoto’s observations regarding his list of dual themes and “dual camera insinuations”. He argues that this use of dualities, that between good and evil, are reflective of Hitchcock’s Jesuit training. Instead of seeing the dualities this way, that between the two Charlies, Hurley sees it through the two murder-obsessed men, Joe Newton and Herbie Hawkins. Although Spoto argues that the two Charlies are the manifestation of Hitchcock’s own duality, Hurley believes it to be the two men. This is because the two men read and discuss murder and are thus “imaginatively and mentally involved” but neither takes the next step to become physically involved and actually murder someone. This is how Hurley views Hitchcock.
    After researching Hitchcock, I believe in both Hurley and Spoto’s ideas when it comes to the dualities. There are traces of Hitchcock in both sets of duos. However, I am not sure how much I believe Hurley’s other arguments throughout the chapter. Some of the examples he uses seem contrived and outlandish. Although Hitchcock was a brilliant mastermind, I am sure he was not conscious of all the use of number within his own film. For example, the use of the number two in Shadow of a Doubt is obvious and Hitchcock was definitely aware of this. However, Hurley argues later that Mrs. Hawkins is referenced with concern three times, thus further enhancing the mysticism that surrounds her character as a symbol for Hitchcock’s own mother. That argument has crossed the line from analytical to convoluted. Is he saying that Hitchcock made sure that other characters only expressed concern for Mrs. Hawkins three times and made sure the rest of her references were not that of concern? I am not convinced.

    Established in December 1997, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR) incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA. ARIN is one of five (5) RIRs.

    The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is a regional Internet registry that oversees Internet number registration in the Americas. According to the website, ARIN is concerned with “ Applying the principles of stewardship, ARIN, A nonprofit corporation, allocates Internet protocol resources; develops consensus-based policies; and facilitates the advancement of the Internet through information and educational outreach.”

    ARIN provides information on registration services, various policies, meetings, membership and information on the other regional Internet registries. Current and annual reports can be found archived in ARIN’s website. Registration Services pertain to the technical coordination and management of Internet number resources. Organization Services pertain to interaction between ARIN members and stakeholders and ARIN. Policy Development Services facilitate the development of policy for the technical coordination and management of Internet number resources in the ARIN region.