A Path that Leads to Happiness?

Melanie ultimately chooses to follow Lydia's path and become a more submissive woman. In addition to the benefit of still being alive, Melanie also gains a mother from her harrowing experiences. In one of the last shots in the film, referenced in the image above, Lydia finally comes to accept Melanie. The image resembles Michelangelo's Pieta in the way that Melanie is draped on top of Lydia and is entirely supported by Lydia's body. This suggests that in addition to becoming a passive body at the will of others Melanie has also become somewhat childlike. Reverted to the back seat, while Cathy takes the front, Melanie has become a subordinate being even in her own car. Melanie has finally become acceptable to Lydia and, in the process, Hitchcock as well.

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