Lars's Collapse

Rear Window

This character-destiny thread traces Lars from concealed criminal control through exposure and a fatal escape.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Neighbor Seen at Distance A Neighbor Seen at Distance from "Rear Window". A Neighbor Seen at Distance A Partial Portrait Hal sees Lars as a husband living with an ill wife in a noisy apartment.

A Neighbor Seen at Distance from "Rear Window". A Neighbor Seen at Distance A Partial Portrait Hal sees Lars as a husband living with an ill wife in a noisy apartment.

A Neighbor Seen at Distance A Partial Portrait Hal sees Lars as a husband living with an ill wife in a noisy apartment. He cannot see the face clearly or hear the man's voice. Character by Behavior Lars's habits and gestures become the only available evidence of his character. His apparent ordinary life is later reinterpreted as deliberate concealment.

The Watchful Return The Watchful Return from "Rear Window". The Watchful Return Repeated Scanning Lars repeatedly surveys the rear windows instead of attending directly to Anna.

The Watchful Return from "Rear Window". The Watchful Return Repeated Scanning Lars repeatedly surveys the rear windows instead of attending directly to Anna.

The Watchful Return Repeated Scanning Lars repeatedly surveys the rear windows instead of attending directly to Anna. The deliberate arc suggests that he is concerned about who may have seen him. Exposure Through Caution His effort to remain unobserved becomes one of the behaviors that attracts Hal's attention. Self-protection inadvertently produces a recognizable pattern.

An Alibi Under Pressure An Alibi Under Pressure from "Rear Window". An Alibi Under Pressure Calm on the Surface Lars remains at home while the police investigate, then presents a story of Anna's trip.

An Alibi Under Pressure from "Rear Window". An Alibi Under Pressure Calm on the Surface Lars remains at home while the police investigate, then presents a story of Anna's trip.

An Alibi Under Pressure Calm on the Surface Lars remains at home while the police investigate, then presents a story of Anna's trip. A trunk, neighbors' accounts, and a postcard seem to support him. The Watcher's Challenge Hal's anonymous note produces a strong reaction, showing that the alibi has not made Lars feel safe. He is forced to confront the possibility that someone has understood his secret.

The Armed Departure The Armed Departure from "Rear Window". The Armed Departure A Calculated Response Lars agrees to meet the supposed blackmailer but takes Thorwald's Pistol from a hiding place.

The Armed Departure from "Rear Window". The Armed Departure A Calculated Response Lars agrees to meet the supposed blackmailer but takes Thorwald's Pistol from a hiding place.

The Armed Departure A Calculated Response Lars agrees to meet the supposed blackmailer but takes Thorwald's Pistol from a hiding place. He leaves believing he may face a person who knows too much. The Balance Shifts While Lars is away, Sam enters the apartment and disturbs its contents. His return to changed rooms intensifies his suspicion and pushes him toward direct action.

Flight to the Roof Flight to the Roof from "Rear Window". Flight to the Roof The Pursuit Begins After shooting at Hal, Lars tries to escape through the window and across the yards, fences, and fire escapes.

Flight to the Roof from "Rear Window". Flight to the Roof The Pursuit Begins After shooting at Hal, Lars tries to escape through the window and across the yards, fences, and fire escapes.

Flight to the Roof The Pursuit Begins After shooting at Hal, Lars tries to escape through the window and across the yards, fences, and fire escapes. Police close off his route as he climbs above the apartments. A Fatal Fall Inspector Boyne shoots while Lars balances on the rooftop parapet. Lars falls to his death, ending both the immediate threat and his ability to answer for the murder.

Early in the story, through Hal's unaided view

Across the first two observed days

After the trunk has been dispatched

The evening Hal proposes a meeting

Near dawn, at the climax