In The Birds, Melanie is a liar. The first thing she does in the film is lie to Mitch by pretending to be a clerk in the pet store. Later on, she lies about why she's gone to Bodega Bay and about how she knows Annie. It's only as the birds start attacking and killing that she stops the lying and gets down to the business of survival. She even confides in Mitch about her traumatic past, something you sense she never does. You could see the birds as a kind of lie detector, forcing Melanie to cast off her superficial persona and face reality for once in her life.
Questions about Lies and Deceit
- What evidence is there that Melanie lies because she's insecure?
- Is Melanie telling the truth when she says she was thrown into the fountain in Italy? Why do you think so?
- Is Mitch more honest than Melanie?
Chew on This
Bodega Bay's honest, down-to-earth atmosphere contrasts with the more sophisticated, deceitful society of San Francisco.
As an attorney, Mitch is used to liars; that's why he tolerates Melanie.