Exploring the Themes of Familicide and Insanity in The Shining Anonymous College

In Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining(1980), there is a prominent theme of familicide throughout the film. Familicide is defined as a murder where at least one spouse and one child are killed, usually by the other spouse. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), the winter caretaker of the Overlook hotel, eventually reaches the brink of insanity and attempts to kill his wife and child. Likewise, the former caretaker of the hotel, Delbert Grady, murdered his wife and two daughters in the winter of 1970. The theme of familicide in the film explores the Torrance family and their problems, which includes Jack Torrance’s alcoholism and abusive tendencies, as well as a lack of communication.

Jack’s reason for attempted murder is unclear, and could include isolation, low self esteem, and predisposition to insanity. Jack’s predisposition to insanity is perhaps more frightening than any supernatural being in the Overlook hotel, as his attempt to commit familicide is inevitable despite the situation or setting.

The film begins with clues alluding to the dysfunction of the Torrance family. The family, which includes Jack, his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall), and his son Danny (Dan Lloyd), has moved from Vermont to Colorado for Jack to find another job....