Applying Narrative Theory to The Shining

There are four different narrative theories that could be applied to The Shining. Here is an explanation of the general theories. One of these is a theory by Propp. When looking at Propp there are some bits that seem to fit. For example some stages of a narrative he proposes fit quite well, like a character leaving home etc, however they tend to be out of order or not in the right sections and definitely aren't all present. Secondly looking at characters as functions makes you think more in depth about their roles. However the character types are quite vague and could be applied to many of the characters. For example the villain could be Jack, Grady or even the hotel. The hero originally seems to be Jack but then could be considered either Wendy or Danny. Overall Propp's theory is useful for making you think more about the story and the characters functions instead of just looking at it as people in a hotel.

Another theory is by Todorov, which seems mostly to fit. There is an initial equilibrium as Jack looks for a job, which seems the norm for him, and his family are just having a normal day at home. Then there is an enigma as the family travel to the hotel and the problems begin. This is followed by the pathway to resolution as Wendy and Danny try to escape Jack and finally there is closure as they escape on the snow cat and Jack dies. The second "classic realist" narrative structure could also apply although its more difficult as there isn't a clear hero. However the agent of change could be the hotel and when the hero meets the hotel there is a quest, to escape the hotel and Jack, and again ends with the closure of the escape and the death. A problem with this theory is that it doesn't tell us much except that stories have a beginning, middle and end which doesn't really help us to understand anything.

There is a third theory by Bordwell and Thompson. This theory applies because we can see cause and effect throughout the film. For example in terms of the story and plot we assume events have happened which we haven't actually seen. For instance we don't see the family before the scene of Wendy and Danny in their house however we assume the family have moved around a lot by what Danny says and we also assume Danny has been talking to 'Tony' for quite a long time. However there are problems with this theory because again it doesn't actually lead us to understand much except stories have a cause and effect process.

Finally there is a theory by Claude Levi-Strauss. This theory looks at the film on a vertical level instead of on a horizontal level like the other theories. It talks about narrative structure in terms of binary opposites. This can be applied to The Shining in several ways. For example the film is about a family which should represent security, which at some points it does between Wendy and Danny, but at other times is the complete opposite as the danger lurks within the family in the form of Jack. This theory is quite a good representation of the narrative because it isn't too vague and general like some of the others.


I think these theories can be useful because they give people a chance to gain insight into films but looking at them in different ways. However past that point I think they are just an academic exercise as there isn't too much you can do with them because they are so vague.