One of my favorite films. Mainly because I adore Scatman Crothers. But it is a true meditation on loneliness, and our responsibility to rule over it. xo
Labyrinths have one way in (and always to a center) and one way out back on the same path you took inwards. A maze has path choices with dead ends. The difference is critical. That said, great post! I love these physical spaces as places of psychological completeness (labyrinth) and psychological confusion. I just finished The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. The house features a concentric circle design of rooms with the innermost room being the place where the four characters mingle and mix as if they were four voices in one head. Ultimately one (or more, depending on how you read it) of those characters is extremely lonely and regularly disoriented and lost in the house. The maze-like nature of haunted houses (where you can't discern which room leads to which room) is such a trope and like all tropes became one for a good reason! So effective as a metaphor for psychological disintegration, confusion and isolation.
Perhaps another movie worth exploring is Robert Eggers' The Witch. The downfall of a New England settler family begins when they are banished from their community and leave in isolation near a forest.
I was up late last night watching The Shining, ironically making thematic connections in my head about all the psychological themes within it. Apparantly it is one of the most overanalyzed films in history.
Even the carpet is labyrinth-like. I personally adore it, and I am both a King and Kubrick fan. I read a lot of King books in my teens. I only rewatched IT and Pet Cemetery recently. Interesting insights from you here, too. Thanks for sharing.
I admit to not liking the book or the movie adaption of The Shining, even with the knowledge that Stephen King was in a different mindset and going through his own struggles at the time he wrote it. I’m a bigger fan of the sequal, Doctor Sleep, and it’s movie adaptation.
However, reading your essay has made me look at the movie from a new perspective. Isolation can make people act in ways that they may not normally act, although it was clear from the start that Jack was already heading down a destructive path, despite his best intentions.
One of my favorite films. Mainly because I adore Scatman Crothers. But it is a true meditation on loneliness, and our responsibility to rule over it. xo
Labyrinths have one way in (and always to a center) and one way out back on the same path you took inwards. A maze has path choices with dead ends. The difference is critical. That said, great post! I love these physical spaces as places of psychological completeness (labyrinth) and psychological confusion. I just finished The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. The house features a concentric circle design of rooms with the innermost room being the place where the four characters mingle and mix as if they were four voices in one head. Ultimately one (or more, depending on how you read it) of those characters is extremely lonely and regularly disoriented and lost in the house. The maze-like nature of haunted houses (where you can't discern which room leads to which room) is such a trope and like all tropes became one for a good reason! So effective as a metaphor for psychological disintegration, confusion and isolation.
Perhaps another movie worth exploring is Robert Eggers' The Witch. The downfall of a New England settler family begins when they are banished from their community and leave in isolation near a forest.
Oh cool, I’ve not seen this but I’ll add it to the list. Thank you kindly 🖤
Enjoyed this
I was up late last night watching The Shining, ironically making thematic connections in my head about all the psychological themes within it. Apparantly it is one of the most overanalyzed films in history.
Even the carpet is labyrinth-like. I personally adore it, and I am both a King and Kubrick fan. I read a lot of King books in my teens. I only rewatched IT and Pet Cemetery recently. Interesting insights from you here, too. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading ☺️
Labyrinths AND The Shining..?! It's like Christmas! Loved this so much 💕
Haha thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it love ❤️
Me too! Was great to rewatch, despite the problems. You’re so so welcome 🤗
I admit to not liking the book or the movie adaption of The Shining, even with the knowledge that Stephen King was in a different mindset and going through his own struggles at the time he wrote it. I’m a bigger fan of the sequal, Doctor Sleep, and it’s movie adaptation.
However, reading your essay has made me look at the movie from a new perspective. Isolation can make people act in ways that they may not normally act, although it was clear from the start that Jack was already heading down a destructive path, despite his best intentions.
Enjoyed reading this! Fantastic essay, dear friend! Huzzah!
Superb observation!
You’re far too kind 💕