Of all the Stephen King novels that have been transformed into silver screen outings, The Shining is perhaps the most iconic. The 1980 adaptation from Stanley Kubrick is one of the most chilling movies of all time, and Jack Nicholson is remembered for his disturbing descent into insanity over the course of the 144 minute-long offering. But the title of the film actually refers to Danny Torrance’s clairvoyant ability. The son of Nicholson’s Jack Torrance is able to communicate with people telepathically, as well as see ghostly visions. This could be the best instance of this type of psychic ability ever seen in film.
What is Clairvoyance?
Clairvoyance is a word derived from French that means “clear vision”. A clairvoyant person is said to be able to use extrasensory perception to gain information about people or objects. Some clairvoyants also claim to have visions of the supernatural, and can even communicate with spirits using their abilities. While the concept is used effectively for the horror effect in the Shining, for most people the goal is for an enlightening experience.
Indeed, there is a market online for those in search of a clairvoyant expert who can help them out. These psychics can use their powers to help people in a number of ways. For instance, they can have visions about what the future may hold, and can make recommendations based on what they see. This might involve guiding a client towards a decision to change jobs or to make a marriage proposal.
How is Clairvoyance Used in The Shining?
In the Shining, Clairvoyance is one of the primary themes. Danny is a young boy who finds himself exploring the vast emptiness of the creepy Overlook hotel. As the film goes on, the boy gradually discovers his abilities. Early on, he is exploring the huge walk-in pantry of the hotel’s kitchen. In the scene, Scatman Crothers’s character who also has clairvoyant ability, Dick Hallorann, communicates with Danny via telepathy. Later in the movie, Danny uses his powers to communicate to Hallorann that they are in danger.
One of the creepier scenes of the film, in which viewers are able to share in Danny’s clairvoyance, is when he is rushing around the halls on his tricycle. In the spine-tingling scene, he is confronted with two ghostly twins who ask Danny to come and play with them. Danny goes into a trance later on in the picture and refers to himself as Tony, perhaps channeling a spirit that exists within the confines of the hotel.
The Shining’s instances of clairvoyance are memorable because Kubrick is able to give the viewer a true sense of how it feels to possess this skill. There are few people in the real world who can effectively see otherworldly spirits in this way, so to have the opportunity to do so by watching a film is a thrilling experience.
