1. Do you see the beginnings of the "Hitchcock touch" in this sequence? Please provide specific examples.
One of his signatures is to show different vantage points from the different characters in the scene.
2. Do you agree or disagree with Strauss, Yacowar, and Spoto assessments that this sequence contains elements, themes, or approaches that we will see throughout Hitchcock's 50-year career?
Maybe. Without being a better student of silent films, this would be hard to nail down not being able to consider the filming norms of the time.
3. Since this is a silent film, do you feel there were any limitations on these opening scenes due to the lack of synchronous spoken dialogue?
As with most silent films, much of the dialogue is assumption being associated with the pantomime acting. The director had to make harsh judgements on what to display in text.