The Shining Film Analysis

The Shining Film Analysis The suspense, blood and gore made the film so intriguing; the audience was kept wondering throughout as to what would really happen next. The eerie hotel combined with music and sound effects played a major role in the film, giving it a sense of paranoia. Nicholsons portrayal of Jack Torrance was truly remarkable, showing us how easily a man can lose complete sanity. The film reveals our need for companionship; loneliness is something we as humans, find it impossible to endure. What disappointed me about the movie was the fact that the breakdown of the family was not as clear prior to it happening; Jacks character lacked depth which would have been vital before his eventual breakdown. However, the film as a whole was exceptionally appealing. The director (Stanley Kubrick) carefully placed the horrific images combined with excruciating background music that would give you utmost panic; Stanley Kubrick had us believe exactly what he wanted and where he wanted, the fact that you were never too certain as to what was about to happen next showed his creative flair. The overflowing blood scenes were a visual masterpiece that seemed almost surreal, what drew me more to the film were hands out the characters and the circumstances they had to go through. Whether you like it or not after watching the film, it makes you somewhat wonder if a world where the past and present unite really exists; hence expanding our imagination to the extent that nothing is impossible. Themes: Isolation and loneliness are one of the major themes in this film. Jacks main reason to losing complete sanity was because he started to slowly isolate himself from everyone, including his family; nothing seemed to matter or make sense anymore. If you were in a world where its sole existence was you; then slowly if not immediately, life loses its meaning. At the beginning of the film we are shown that the car is moving towards and isolated hotel; the hotel itself represents a sense of isolation. The fact that it is located in a secluded place, where not a single soul can be found creates a border between Jacks family and the rest of the world. One scene that showcases loneliness is when Wendy talks to the fire department; we can see a feeling of despair, because she has literally no one to talk to. Duality plays another major role in the construct of the set and the film; there are two mazes, two little girls, two Gradys, even two Jacks. The duality factor of the film may represent the two faced nature of humanity, the one that shines (Danny) and the other one that wallows in the dark, corrupted, and twisted desires. In Jacks case what started as a mere irritation turned into downright aggression towards his family. Detachment from reality is another major theme circling throughout the film. Jack spends most of his time working alone or isolating himself from his wife and child. How are we as humans able to define whats a mere illusion to reality? Jack was not in a clear state of mind, from the way he talked and acted we could tell he was slowly slipping to world illustrated by him. The severity of his detachment is shown with his writing, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. As the film proceeds Jack sells his soul, or whats left of his humanity to the devil in exchange for drinks; which finally detaches him completely from reality. Clairvoyance is another theme that Kubrick plays on during the film; Danny is the major factor of this theme. Seen through messages sent by Tony, Danny starts to pick up the broken pieces and tries to prevent what the future beholds. This theme is covered with mystery and no clear edges, representing more of an unfinished circle with no beginning and no end. Tony sends Wendy messages in a mirror written red rum The reflection of which reads murder, murder is a reflection of both the past and the future, the word has a significant connection to the hotel; and history repeating itself. The hotel itself is filled with unexplainable paranormal activity that causes people to be in a disturbing state of mind. Clear, unexplainable images are brought to life to the characters; thus leaving them hanging by a thread of defining whats real and whats plain imagination. Structure: The choice of actors and their portray play huge factors in creating a horrifiic masterpiece. Darling, light of my life. Im not going hurt ya. You didnt let me finish my sentence. I said Im not going to hurt ya, Im just gonna bash your brains in Im gonna bash em right the fuck in. Jack, 1980: The Shining. Nicholsons brings a character to life with his portrayal of Jacks psychotic, twisted mind. With the audience observing his every move; its hard to ignore the fact that whilst watching the film you feel like you can see right through Jacks psychotic, twisted mind. He had the audience observing his every move. Wendys personality on the other hand is illustrated as passive and hysterical making her seem eventually vulnerable as the film proceeds; the fact that she does not dare to conflict with her husband even in the most unfortunate situations makes her almost flawed character seem more human and damaged. Shot in secluded hotel high in the mountains which is inaccessible to anyone, the setting itself creates an atmosphere of seclusion. Kubricks choice of unnerving music and sound effects is one of the most crucial factors that add to the cramped atmosphere; keeping the audience tense, ready for a scared. The Shining wouldnt have been the same if Kubrick didnt add the yellow/ green colour to film, which created a complete different atmosphere; and setting the perfect cautious mood for the audience whilst watching the film. The emptiness of the hotel combined with the unusual setting complements each other greatly, allowing Kubrick to capture great shots; the film was very fast paced but at the same time had long, intense pauses creating a synchronized effect between each shot. Stanley Kubrick tells us simple story of losing complete sanity through a unique perspective. As a whole the film successfully achieves its goal of keeping the audience right at the tip of their seats and anticipating whats going to happen next. Jack Torrance was a one of a kind character, who was trapped by his own demons within the hotel; thus, creating a fascinating phenomenon.

Reinforcing Fears: Space Race and Sci Fi in the Cold War Essay

Throughout history, science and technology has been relied on to advance humanity. In the Cold War period, this was no different. In fact, the Cold War period was characterized as much by scientific and technological innovation as it was the clash of East and West. From missiles to the space race, science and technology reassured both superiority and mutual destruction throughout the era. The space race, in particular, was a longstanding battle for domination between American and Soviet minds. No longer was space travel confined to science fiction, but a reality that needed to be explored in order to maintain the grasp on victory in the Cold War. This paper will argue that although the domination for space acted as a metaphor for Cold War superiority, ultimately space colonization was the catalyst to American exploration in science fiction and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) propaganda. As a result, when the Americans landed their astronauts first on the moon, it was a victory for America’s policy, imagination, and people. First, an exploration of the history and politics of space travel in the United States and Soviet Union will be discussed. From there, both political cartoons and the development of science fiction will be developed alongside the events that lead up to Sputnik’s launch and Apollo 11’s moonwalk in order to draw the parallel that interest in space fuelled science fiction phenomena. Although this paper focuses on the events leading up to Apollo 11, a discussion of the declining role of science fiction and interest in space as a means to win the Cold War will be put into focus. Lastly, the climatic events of the 1950s and 1960s space age will be compared and contrasted with contemporary events in order to determi... ...o a new level. Moreover, a subtle war was emerging between the Soviet Union and the United States. Both nations had power, people, and prosperity, and a drive for success. As early as 1948, Soviets expressed discontent towards the United States in science fiction. For example, a publication called â€Å"The Incredible Slingshot Bombs†, written by an American, was critiqued by the Soviets (Major 77). In the story, a boy gains possession of miniscule bombs and uses them to wreak havoc using a slingshot (Major 77). The Soviets jabbed at both the story and the United States, claiming a â€Å"hooligan with an atomic slingshot, isn’t this the true symbol of modern imperialism?† (Major 77). After the atomic bomb, the world was under the United States’ ruling hand – dwelling on both Huxley’s predictions and suggesting the future of Soviet-American interactions for years to come.

Language needs African American Language

The difficult part of the Ebonics controversy is an extremely old problem in the United States that the status of African American as American and their dialect. It was greatly makes it difficult to develop a state national level educational policy for using it in the classroom as a way to move toward Standard American English that was long to implementation is local. It was probably standard when it we proposed for the state or in national, we run in to problem of identifying exactly what is the meaning of it. This problem can be Avoid by addressing the issue in less effective as â€Å"home language†. If in practice the policy were, directed generally at all home languages the special needs of African American Vernacular English speakers would be unaddressed. however, the policy were expanded to national educational policy directed at the African American Vernacular English there would be strong pressure to identify or even develop a standard version for African American English in order to properly implement. Which would continue to neglect those who do not speak the new standard, and worse it would result in the need for African Americans to learn two standards. The Standard English and African American English were the two standards that the African American needs to know. The validity and systematically of the home language is reasonable However, the use of contrastive analysis ends up sending exactly the message that the resolution was intend to eliminate. If the student’s home language is allowed in the classroom and then systematically translated by the teacher of Standard American English and then no matter what the language or method used there is the implication that what is being corrected is an mistake, the home language is in error. In this, such of way, the decision could result in even greater stigmatization of the African American Language than already exists. The proposal to use Bilingual education methodology to move one language system to another has intrinsic logic that there are systematic differences between two languages and the methods and materials have already been develop and tested. However, the message sent here in practice would be one that is consistent with the intent of the Ebonics Resolution. By classifying African Americans among immigrants populations and the implication is that, immigrants they remain outsiders until they were assimilate themselves to another language or culture. In effect there us an implication that African American do not gain their full citizenship by birth but earn the assimilating to American culture which by implication is a culture that is not their own. The status of the home language of African Americans is controversial even among those whose sociopolitical goals are one and the same providing equal opportunities for employment and education to a minority group that has historically received less that its fair share of the American trance. The issue remains contentious because nobody agree the use of their language variety towards African Americans. The United States continues to struggle with two worthy but often contradictory ideas in integration and the celebration of diversity. At the end, little was clarified or even changed by the Ebonics resolution but the African Americans continues to underachieve in the United States educational system nearly guarantees another discussion of this matter.   

The Epic Of Beowulf By Seamus Heaney - 2116 Words

Biography: Beowulf is an old story, that was composed somewhere between the middle of the seventh and tenth century, that used to be told orally in front of large groups of people, never being written down until much later when the original teller was long dead. Therefore the original author of Beowulf is unknown, however Seamus Heaney is one of the many to have translated it from old english into current english so many others can enjoy it as well. Seamus Heaney was born on April 13 in 1939. Born and raised in Ireland he was the eldest of nine children, and grew up on a family farm. The landscape gave him reason and background for many of his poems. He attended St. Columb’s College in Londonderry. After that he went to Queen’s University†¦show more content†¦In 1975 he began teaching at Carysfort College, and became the head of the Department of English. He later resigned from his position at the college in 1981. He then went to Harvard to teach as the Boylsto n Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory in February of 1982, as well as teaching at Oxford as a professor of poetry. These jobs were a five year teaching arrangement. Mid 1980’s he began to translate the tale of Beowulf, and finished it in 1999. Seamus Heaney was influenced by poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins and John Crowe Ransom, who were also Irish. Yet, he was also influenced by the time he spent in America. When he was translating Beowulf, he attempted to keep the Anglo-Saxon tone it had originally, while adding his own twist to it. He maintains the four line stress pattern it originally had, but also adds in imagery to make scenes more colorful. On top of this, he offers helpful notes on pronunciations of names, as well as specific usages of language instead of analogies. In 1995 Heaney won the Nobel Prize in Literature, being the second Irish poet to do so. He wrote five major works in his lifetime: Death of a Naturalist, North, The Haw Lantern, District and Circle, and Beowulf; A New Translation. Heaney’s constant switch between two continents earned him audiences in Ireland, Britain, and America. He’s earned many other prestigious awards including the W.H. Smith Award,