MovieChat Forums > Room 237 (2012) Discussion > Genocide in The Shining

Genocide in The Shining

posted 11 years ago by Alacrates
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Some people seemed to think the idea that The Shining had themes relating to genocide (of Native Americans, or the Holocaust) hidden in its subtext was somehow far-fetched and unbelievable. I really disagree.

Kubrick, throughout his career, seemed to be very interested in the Nazi's in particular, and with depicting the political rulers of society as somewhat insane and very frightening.

Dr. Strangelove is depicts how insane our political and military leaders are, and how casually they engage in very risky geopolitical maneuvering. A Clockwork Orange has many references to Nazi Germany and also examines themes of violence and the government. Full Metal Jacket looks at the relation between indoctrination, journalism, and military atrocities. Eyes Wide Shut once again looks at madness of the ruling class. Kubrick worked for a long time on a movie about the Holocaust called The Aryan Papers, which he eventually abandoned.

Just based on the themes that Kubrick seemed to repeatedly return to, the idea of genocide being a theme of The Shining is not all that far-fetched, I think it is probably true.

[–] JeffTG 11 years ago

I just finished watching this documentary and out of all of the theories presented, I agree that this was by far the most logical. In fact, I'd say that the massacre of Native Americans was a huge implication of the events in The Shining. They said in the movie that the hotel was built on an Indian burial ground. While the baking powder containers might seem like a bit of a stretch, I'd say that imagery as well as the other Native American portraits and images are the primary basis of the haunting(s) in the film.

[–] Zero_Wolf 11 years ago

Yes, but the thing is, it is not even a subtext. It's quite explicit and intentional. The characters say the hotel is built atop an indian burial ground. They say indians were killed during it's construction. And consequently the whole building shines.

There isn't a need to search for a hidden meaning.

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