The Psychology of Lydia Brenner pt 2

Lydia Brenner: A Post "The Birds"

Prediction

Lydia as a Hitchcockian Mother archetype is not a flattering portrayal of woman or mother. The psyche displayed is one skilled in manipulation, vicious defensiveness and responsibility-avoidance.  

She takes from Frank:

you depend on someone else [Frank] for strength, and then... suddenly all the strength is gone, and you're alone.

While neglecting her part of the parental giving as well.  

You see, he [Frank] understood the children. He really understood them. He had the knack of entering into their world, of becoming part of them. That's a very rare talent.  

Lydia quietly blames nature itself rather than her own character deficits. She never developed her own personal qualities of giving to others, so she only lived off the strength & kindness of her husband first, then her son for her own well-being.  

So happens next as that car drives off at the end of The Birds?  

Melanie’s broken & Lydia feels safe. Melanie will get care at the hospital and Lydia, also having endured the attacks of the birds on Bodega Bay, will have all her excuses and needs for Mitch completely updated.  

She’ll certainly need help repairing the house & unboarding all those windows. Lydia, most assuredly, will have an even deeper need to feel protected every weekend by Mitch’s presence if not every night for the first few months. As Lydia has stated of Mitch:  

I feel safer with him here.  

Who will comfort Lydia into facing her barn full of chickens once more?   

In short time, Melanie will succumb to Lydia’s maddening attitude as Annie did:  

You know, her [Lydia’s] attitude nearly drove me crazy.  

Melanie will accept Lydia’s offer to be her friend in place of Annie. Possibly, Melanie may even find the meaning she was looking for earlier in the movie by teaching the children of Bodega Bay. 

If nothing else, Melanie will certainly be Cathy's caretaker in place of Annie as Lydia is not a giver. This will free Lydia up to start tracking down her next Dan Fawcett.

You see, she's [Lydia's] not afraid of losing Mitch. She's only afraid of being abandoned.   

Lydia’s thoughts are “only” for Lydia. 

So, in a few years time, Melanie will be leasing a room to Mitch’s next love interest...

...while all the birds take note and watch. 



Now, the real frightening part which Hitchcock may have already covered in great depth is: what will happen if Lydia should find a new husband?

Film Discussion: The Birds (1963)