The Shining Film Analysis

“Do you have the slightest idea what a moral or ethical principle is?” Deontology, or the adherence of one’s actions to a certain moral or ethical principle of operation, stands as an intruiging philosophy by itself. The opening sentence of this essay clearly possesses relevance to deontology. However, the quote does not originate from any philosopher, but instead from Jack Torrance of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. The film, from a superficial point of view, stands as an atmospheric horror film. However, instead of providing audiences with just a technically proficient film, Kubrick weaves the grounds for a foreboding subtext throughout his film. This essay examines The Shining by examining Robert Tonkin’s distinction between religion and

Arnold Van Gennep theorizes that “ritual actions often… transform people’s concepts of time, space, and society” (Nye 2008, 145). Nye bolsters Gennep’s points as well, explaining that experiencing rituals can cause people to have “their views of themselves” transform (Nye 2008, 145). These theories are immensely important to understanding how The Shining portrays extremist religious deontology in a negative manner. Jack initially carries himself with indifference before entering the hotel. The movie implies that Jack and his family have a largely healthy relationship before entering The Stanley Hotel. The introductory scene of the movie sees Jack calmly and casually interacting with his family on the drive to the hotel. Jack also gives up drinking for his family. However, after seeing apparitions and undergoing the textual, writing ritualization, Jack changes his perceptions of his family and reality entirely. The ritualistic actions he experiences, along with the deontological basis for his actions, drive him to perceive his family as an obstacle. One particularly pressing example presents itself when Jack returns to the gold ballroom to experience the bar again, but finds himself within a Grady family party. Clearly, Jack takes after Delbert Grady when Grady mentions that his wife is someone trying to “prevent [him] from doing his duty.” Grady directly references deontology with this quote, and the quote provides inscrutable proof for Jack’s deontological manner of thinking. As a result, Jack’s changes in perception after experiencing ritualization prove that The Shining displays the effect deontology and extreme religious experience can have on one’s