In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for The Shining, we answer questions you have about the movie. If you’re curious about plot explanations, meanings, themes, lessons, motifs, symbols, or just confused by something, ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
Cast
- Jack Nicholson – Jack Torrance
- Shelley Duvall – Wendy Torrance
- Danny Lloyd – Danny “Doc” Torrance
- Scatman Crothers – Dick Hallorann
- Barry Nelson – Stuart Ullman
- Philip Stone – Delbert Grady
- Joe Turkel – Lloyd
- Anne Jackson – Doctor
- Tony Burton – Larry Durkin
- Diane Johnson – Writer
- Stanley Kubrick – Writer and director
The Shining | Questions and Answers
What is “shining”?
“Shining” is a psychic ability that Danny possesses, allowing him to read minds, see visions of the past and future, and communicate telepathically. This supernatural ability introduces an essential layer of understanding to The Shining, connecting the present inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel with its violent history. Danny’s gift symbolizes the sensitivity of some individuals, particularly children, to the influence and residual effects of past violence.
As discussed in the Title Explanation section, understanding shining is crucial for grasping the movie’s exploration of generational trauma and the haunting legacy of the past. The ability to shine essentially bridges the gap between past, present, and future, allowing the story to explore the cyclical nature of violence, the lingering impact of historical trauma, and the necessity of breaking these harmful cycles.
What does the blood flooding the hallway symbolize?
The recurring vision of blood flooding the hallway from the elevator is one of the most iconic and disturbing images in The Shining. As discussed in the Key Shots section, the image symbolizes the Overlook Hotel’s brutal and violent past. The enormous amount of blood could represent the numerous lives taken in the hotel, and the way it gushes out suggests the uncontainable and overwhelming nature of this violence. Its appearance to Danny, and later Wendy, serves as a stark warning of the impending danger.
Understanding this vision is crucial to grasping the cycle of violence theme in the film. It suggests that past actions are not easily forgotten or erased. Instead, they linger, impacting future events and individuals who were not even present when the original violence occurred. This indicates how the past’s destructive patterns can continue to exert their influence unless consciously confronted and broken.
What’s the significance of the dead woman in the bathtub?
The apparition of the dead woman in the bathtub in Room 237 is one of the movie’s most haunting images. She symbolizes the decadence and decay hiding beneath the Overlook’s luxurious facade. She is first seen as a beautiful, young woman, luring in the unsuspecting victim, much like the hotel itself. Her transformation into a rotting corpse mirrors the hidden ugliness and malevolence of the hotel.
Her manifestation underscores the danger of being deceived by surface appearances, reinforcing the film’s theme of duality and deception. It’s a chilling lesson for Danny and a warning for the viewers about the lurking horrors within the Overlook Hotel.
What is the significance of Danny chanting “redrum”?
Danny chanting “redrum” represents his struggle with the terrifying visions he’s experiencing and his attempt to communicate these threats. The word “redrum,” when viewed in a mirror, reveals its true meaning: “murder.” This revelation underscores the film’s exploration of mirrors and reflections as motifs of truth and revelation.
Danny’s chant is an ominous foreshadowing of the impending violence, primarily driven by his father. It signifies his shining ability revealing the dark intentions that have been inverted and hidden from plain view, much like the reflected word itself.
Why did Danny dissociate and let Tony take over his body?
Danny’s dissociation and the emergence of Tony, his imaginary friend, suggest a coping mechanism against the extreme trauma and fear he is experiencing at the Overlook Hotel. Tony serves as a protective entity, providing Danny with a way to distance himself from the terrifying reality unfolding around him.
Understanding this dynamic offers insights into the profound psychological impact of fear and trauma, particularly on a child’s mind. It echoes the theme of duality in the film—Tony as Danny’s alter ego—and signifies the desperate measures one might resort to in order to preserve their sanity in the face of terror.
What questions do you have?
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