Norman Bates

Norman Bates is the main protagonist of the novel, which traces his struggles with insanity, particularly split personality disorder. Norman is described as mid-forties, overweight, pale, and balding. As a child, Norman had an extremely dysfunctional, even abusive, relationship with his mother that forever changed his ability to relate normally in society. As an adult, Norman lives alone with Mother and runs the Bates Motel. When the novel opens, Norman is reading about the Oedipus Situation with the hopes of understanding more about his strange relationship with Mother. It's clear that Norman's relationship with Mother has deeply affected the way he views all women, particularly women to whom he is sexually attracted. Norman drinks as a way of blocking out the voices in his head - arguably Mother's voice - telling him that he's not good enough, and reminding him that he's impotent. When he is forced...