In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for The Shining, we delve into the significance of the film’s title.
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
Why is the movie called The Shining?
The Shining is a title that goes beyond the simplicity of its meaning, a dual-edged sword that carries profound connotations. It is a manifestation of the ethereal, hauntingly unspoken psychological and supernatural elements that pervade the story. The title refers to a supernatural ability, the “shine,” possessed by Danny, the young boy at the heart of the narrative. This shine allows him to tap into the unseen realities of time, place, and human consciousness. It also leaves him vulnerable to the horrifying undercurrents of the past, resonating in the desolate, eerie halls of the Overlook Hotel.
The notion of shining, however, extends beyond just the literal interpretation. The concept of shining speaks to the unseen light—or darkness—that resides within each of us. Jack does not possess the shine in the supernatural sense, but rather, his figurative shine represents his character trajectory—his slow descent into insanity driven by isolation, substance abuse, and perhaps the malevolent influence of the hotel. This metaphorical shine symbolizes his transformation from a flawed but seemingly loving father and husband into a figure of terror. His light isn’t the beacon of hope and warmth we associate with illumination, but a blinding, overwhelming intensity that drives him to destructive behavior. Jack’s shine can be viewed as an allegory for the internal struggle many face, a tormenting mental battle often hidden under the facade of normalcy.
There’s the darkness, now here’s the light: Danny’s shine is more than a psychic ability. It symbolizes a child’s innocence and intuition; a pureness being forced to grapple with darkness far beyond his tender years. His shine gives him insight, a window into the raw reality to which adults often blind themselves, both the past and the future. It also serves as a call to awaken, to see, and confront the cruel, often unseen realities that we have either chosen to ignore or unknowingly inherited.
The Overlook Hotel, too, has its own shine, albeit a malevolent one. It’s a structure imbued with the memories of past transgressions, a twisted mirroring of the broader human history. The hotel’s shine is the echo of the horrors committed within its walls, a never-ending cycle of violence that the Torrance family unwittingly steps into.
In a broader sense, Danny’s ability to shine serves as a potent metaphor for younger generations as they learn to grapple with the sins and evils of those that have come before them. His psychic ability not only allows him to perceive the literal ghosts that haunt the Overlook Hotel but also acts as a metaphorical bridge to the residual trauma and violence that the older generations have left in their wake. Danny’s shine thrusts him into the midst of past atrocities, forcing him to grapple with and navigate through horrors that he did not cause but must nonetheless endure. This mirrors how younger generations in our society are often burdened with the aftermath of their predecessors’ actions, whether these be wars, environmental degradation, systemic racism, or intergenerational trauma. The young are thrown into a world with existing structures and echoes of the past, carrying the weight of history, much like Danny.
But Danny’s shine also provides an insight into the need for understanding and empathy. Despite his tender age, he’s capable of seeing the complex layers of history, the darker corners of the human mind, and even the eventual redemption and forgiveness required to move beyond past sins. In a broader societal context, this could symbolize the need for younger generations to comprehend and learn from history, to empathize with different experiences, and to strive for change and healing.
Furthermore, Danny’s survival despite his harrowing ordeal speaks to the resilience of the younger generation. He’s traumatized but not defeated, reflecting the hope and strength that lies within the young, their ability to confront, endure, and perhaps eventually overcome the evils and sins of the past.
Thus, The Shining encapsulates the duality of illumination. It embodies both the enlightening radiance that can guide us and the blinding, consuming glare that can lead us astray. In essence, the film uses the concept of shine as a powerful metaphor for the underlying human experiences, the innate psychic connection we share with the world, the latent darkness within us, and the lingering echoes of history. It is an in-depth exploration of how we confront these, how we navigate through our own labyrinth of existence, and how we eventually come to terms with our own shine. It is not just a title; it is a profound reflection on the enigmatic complexity of human nature and existence.
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