Alfred Hitchcock's Best Film (sound)

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

That's what Scottie himself would think as he was made to believe that his vertigo stopped him from saving the woman he loved. Only it didn't. A metaphor only works if it's paralleled and supported by the plot and Scottie's vertigo as a weakness turns out to have been a red herring. In fact the moment when Scottie really causes the death of the woman he loves comes when he conquers his vertigo, therefore the metaphor you propose doesn't work.

What you're saying only points to the idea that he was able to achieve some measure of personal growth as a character--that he was able to overcome his moral weakness, even though it wasn't enough to save the woman he loved.

It doesn't invalidate the idea that his vertigo was symbolic of his own personal frailty.

"That's what Scottie himself would think as he was made to believe that his vertigo stopped him from saving the woman he loved. Only it didn't...Scottie's vertigo as a weakness turns out to have been a red herring."

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say here?