47 pages 1 hour read

Robert Bloch

Psycho

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1959

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 10-12

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 10 Summary

Norman waits until nighttime to move Arbogast’s body, which he left under the entryway rug in the house. He folds the body in the rug, loads it into Arbogast’s Buick, and sinks it in the swamp. Knowing someone will eventually come looking for Arbogast, Norman plots his next move. He will say that Mary came and left, indicating that she was heading to Chicago, and that Arbogast went after her. Norman returns home and, against Norma’s objections, locks her in the fruit cellar to prevent anyone from seeing her. Norman knows she is dangerous and locks her away for her own good, despite her attempts at manipulation. He reminds her that, if it were not for him, she would be in the state psychiatric hospital.

Chapter 11 Summary

Sam and Lila wait in Sam’s office for Arbogast to call. Lila, frustrated by having to wait, accuses Sam of not caring about Mary. Sam calls the police station and learns that the sheriff is responding to a bank robbery out of town. Sam even drives to the Bates Motel but finds no sign of Norman or Arbogast. There is nothing to do but wait.

The next morning, Lila reports that Arbogast checked out of his hotel yesterday, before going to the Bates Motel.