Abstract: Stanley Kubrick’s rendition of Stephen King’s novel ‘The Shining’, is an excellent example of a film that adequately brings light to three common themes in the United States society: The deterioration of the American family, societal gender roles and the issue of racism. By using keen examples throughout the movie, Kubrick wisely relates the three issues discussed to the everyday family.
The Degradation of the American Family
One of the main themes presented in ‘The Shining’ is the degradation of a nuclear family - a family consisting of a mother, father and a dependent child (page 8). The movie centers around Jack, Wendy, and their child Danny, as they travel to the mountains of Colorado as a result of Jack accepting a winter job as the caretaker of a the Overlook Hotel. The idea of a family isolating themselves from society would assume them to grow strong. However, as they are left to themselves, they begin to deteriorate. As the plot progresses, Jack’s mental health is attacked, causing him to have a breakdown. With…show more content… This directly coincides with today’s - and historical - American society. According to a United States Bureau of Justice Statistics study, it is estimated that at year end of 2014, black males accounted for nearly 37% of the male prison population. The study also concluded that imprisonment rates for black males were 3.8 to 10.5 times greater at each age compared to that of white males. Racism is shown toward Dick Halloran, who is the African-American chef at the hotel. At one point during the movie, Grady, who is an illusion to Jack, describes Mr. Halloran as a “nigger cook.” This is an obvious racist remark directed to degrade a black male and his societal class ranking. However, the racism in the movie goes beyond that of the black society, as The Shining brings light to a genocide of the Native