The Shining FAQ

What are some of the key themes and interpretations of The Shining?

The Shining has been subject to various interpretations, with critics and scholars exploring themes such as:

• The crisis in masculinity: Jack's descent into madness can be seen as a representation of the pressures and anxieties faced by men in a patriarchal society.
• Sexism: Wendy's vulnerability and helplessness in the face of Jack's violence highlight the power imbalances between men and women.
• Corporate America: The Overlook Hotel, as a symbol of corporate greed and power, can be seen as a representation of the dehumanizing effects of capitalism.
• Racism: The film's depiction of Native Americans, through their absence and the presence of their art and artefacts, raises questions about the erasure and exploitation of indigenous cultures.
• The Holocaust: Some scholars have argued that the film contains subliminal references to the Holocaust, linking the Overlook Hotel to concentration camps and Jack's violence to the horrors of genocide.

How does the film address the theme of Native Americans?

While no Native American characters appear in the film, their presence is felt through the film's setting and imagery. The Overlook Hotel is built on a Native American burial ground, and Native American artwork and motifs are prominently displayed throughout the hotel. This has led some to interpret the film as an allegory for the genocide and displacement of Native Americans, with the hotel representing the forces of colonialism that have sought to erase their culture and history.

How does the film use art and symbolism to convey its themes?

Kubrick carefully employs art and symbolism throughout the film to enhance its thematic depth.

• The recurring use of mirrors: Mirrors appear in scenes where Jack encounters ghosts, suggesting that the spirits might be projections of his tortured psyche. They symbolize the distorted perceptions and fragmented identities of the characters.
• The hedge maze: The maze represents the characters' entrapment, both physically within the hotel and psychologically within their own minds.
• The repetition of "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy": This phrase, typed endlessly by Jack, highlights the dangers of obsession and the suppression of creativity and individuality.
• The blood spilling from the elevator: This iconic image can be seen as a symbol of the hotel's violent history and the unleashing of repressed trauma.

What is the significance of the number 237?

In Stephen King's novel, the haunted room is number 217, but Kubrick changed it to 237 in the film. The reason for this alteration remains a subject of debate. Some theories suggest:

• Kubrick wanted to avoid upsetting the real Timberline Lodge, where some exteriors were filmed, as they didn't have a room 237.
• The number has a connection to the moon landing conspiracy theories, with 237,000 being roughly the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

How does the film differ from Stephen King's novel?

While Kubrick's film retains the basic premise of King's novel, it departs from the source material in several key ways:

• Character portrayal: Jack Torrance is depicted as more inherently unstable in the film, whereas in the novel he gradually succumbs to the hotel's influence. Wendy is also more passive and helpless in the film.
• Supernatural elements: The novel embraces a more overt supernatural presence, while the film leaves the nature of the ghosts and the hotel's evil ambiguous.
• Ending: The film's ending is more bleak and ambiguous, while the novel offers a more hopeful resolution.

What was Stephen King's reaction to the film?

Stephen King has been a vocal critic of Kubrick's adaptation, feeling it strays too far from his novel's themes and characters. He has said that Kubrick's lack of belief in the supernatural prevented him from capturing the true horror of the story. King was particularly dissatisfied with the portrayal of Jack Torrance, believing Nicholson's performance made him appear insane from the outset.

How was the Steadicam used in the film?

The Shining was one of the first films to make extensive use of the Steadicam, a camera stabilizing mount that allowed for fluid and immersive tracking shots. Kubrick employed the Steadicam to create iconic sequences, such as Danny cycling through the hotel corridors and the aerial shots of the hedge maze. These shots contributed to the film's eerie atmosphere and sense of unease.

What is the significance of the film's ambiguous ending?

The final shot of Jack Torrance in a 1921 photograph leaves the audience with many unanswered questions. It has fuelled numerous interpretations and theories. Some believe it suggests:

• Jack's soul has become trapped in the hotel, forever bound to its dark history.
• The events of the film are cyclical, with history repeating itself within the Overlook's walls.
• The Overlook Hotel has the power to consume and assimilate those who fall under its influence.

The ambiguity allows viewers to engage with the film's themes and draw their own conclusions about the nature of evil and the power of the past.