Stanley Kubrick is a director known for his aesthetic beauty and phenomenal storytelling. In The Shining, Stanley Kubrick tells an over-examined subplot of the relationship between Native Americans and colonizers. In "THE OVERLOOK HOTEL", this subplot is examined in relation, specifically to, The Overlook Hotel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Perspective
3. The Overlook Hotel: In Dialogue
4. The Overlook Hotel, As a Setting
5. The Overlook Hotel, In Character
6. Alternatives
7. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to explore the symbolic subplots within Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining, specifically investigating how the Overlook Hotel functions as a cinematic representation of the exploitation and displacement of Native Americans during the expansion of the United States. Through an argumentative and interpretative analysis, the author seeks to prove that the film’s setting, dialogue, and characterization serve as a critical commentary on American history and colonial violence.
- Analysis of the Overlook Hotel as a symbol for the United States.
- Examination of the "subliminal" subplots embedded within the film's screenplay.
- Investigation of the hotel's physical setting and décor as references to Native American motifs.
- Interpretation of the hotel's personification as a character that influences and corrupts those within it.
Excerpt from the Book
The Overlook Hotel: In Dialogue
As mentioned, The Shining is written on an adapted screenplay, which was done jointly by Stanley Kubrick and Diane Johnson (a satirical novelist, this was her only film). In any film, TV show, theatre performance or even commercial, writing is the foundation for the production. In film it belongs to the four main aspects of film: acting, directing, writing and cinematography. Kubrick’s screenplays were often written by Kubrick himself, giving the director more leeway to create the film he wanted, in his image, as stated by Mario Falsetto in the overview section of his book, Stanley Kubrick: A Narrative and Stylistic Analysis.
When analyzing how The Shining is a symbolic reference to the exploitation of Natives by Americans through The Overlook Hotel, one must examine the screenplay, more commonly known as the script. At the beginning of the second act of the film, named “Closing Day”, the Torrance family is “en route” to the hotel, when Danny asks a question about something that occurred in the area where the hotel is situated (Kubrick 24. 9-14):
WENDY
Hey, wasn't it around here that the
Donner party got snowbound?
JACK
I think that was farther west in
the Sierras.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis that The Shining contains a symbolic subplot regarding the treatment of Native Americans, which is depicted through the Overlook Hotel.
Perspective: This section provides biographical context on Stanley Kubrick’s career and summarizes the historical relationship between European colonizers and Native Americans in North America.
The Overlook Hotel: In Dialogue: This chapter examines the screenplay’s dialogue to highlight how Kubrick plants seeds of greed and historical reference, particularly through the interaction between characters regarding the hotel’s history.
The Overlook Hotel, As a Setting: This analysis focuses on the visual aspects of the film, specifically the labyrinth and the hotel décor, to illustrate the theme of forced assimilation.
The Overlook Hotel, In Character: This section discusses the personification of the hotel, arguing that it acts as a corrupting force that mirror the destructive nature of colonial expansion.
Alternatives: This chapter acknowledges other interpretations of the film, such as potential references to the Holocaust, while reaffirming the primary argument.
Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating that the film’s lasting impact stems from its ability to weave complex, historically-informed subplots into the horror genre.
Keywords
Stanley Kubrick, The Shining, The Overlook Hotel, Native Americans, Colonialism, Symbolism, Subplot, Literary Analysis, Cinema, Horror, Assimilation, Cultural Genocide, Film History, Interpretive Methods, Screenplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on identifying and analyzing a symbolic subplot in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining that addresses the history of Native American exploitation and the expansion of the United States.
Which thematic areas does the author explore?
The author explores cinematic dialogue, the symbolism of film settings (specifically the hotel), and the personification of architecture to convey deeper socio-historical messages.
What is the primary thesis of the study?
The primary thesis is that the Overlook Hotel serves as a focal point for Kubrick to depict how America was built upon the ruins and displacement of Native Americans.
What research methodology is applied?
The author employs interpretive and argumentative methods, utilizing literary analysis to deconstruct the film’s narrative, script, and visual elements.
How is the main body structured?
The body is structured by analyzing the hotel through three lenses: its dialogue, its role as a physical setting, and its function as a character within the story.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key concepts include Stanley Kubrick, The Overlook Hotel, Native American exploitation, colonial history, cinematic symbolism, and film analysis.
How does the author interpret the significance of the hotel's décor?
The author interprets the Native American motifs in the hotel's décor as a representation of forced assimilation, suggesting that the hotel has literally absorbed or "colonized" these cultural elements.
Why does the author discuss the Donner Party in the context of this film?
The author discusses the Donner Party to illustrate the theme of "greed for survival" and how Kubrick uses this historical reference to foreshadow the corruption and eventual madness of the protagonist, Jack Torrance.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the film's final shot?
The author concludes that the final shot is designed to confuse the audience momentarily, redirecting their focus toward the deeper, more significant subplots regarding American history rather than just the literal horror plot.
Does the author consider other potential interpretations of the film?
Yes, the author discusses the possibility of Holocaust-related subplots, noting that while less textually evident than the Native American theme, they reflect Kubrick's historical interests and "unrealized projects."
- Citar trabajo
- Angelo Rosato (Autor), 2016, The Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322567
