MSTRMND's The Shining (2nd Edition) (Chapter 5: Light, Symbols, and Doubling)
0Explore the intricate details of The Shining‘s visual storytelling as we delve into Kubrick’s use of light, symmetry, and subtle doubling to foreshadow the Torrance family’s fate. From the Overlook Hotel’s interplay of natural and artificial light, which becomes a character in its own right, to the Navajo patterns and symbolic artifacts that echo throughout the film, every frame is steeped in meaning. We examine the introduction of Wendy and Danny through minimalist set design, the uncanny normalcy of doubling, and Danny’s emerging heroism symbolized through patterns and light. This analysis unravels Kubrick’s layered narrative, where even the simplest details—like a baseball or milk cartons—tie into the film’s broader themes of identity and consciousness.
Essay by MSTRMND
Edited by Clayton Allen Davis
Music from Silent Hill by Akira Yamaoka
#kubrick #documentary #occult