"Ordinary Family" - Justina Lee

When we think of an ‘ordinary family’, we often think of a household consisting of a breadwinning father, an obedient mother and adorable children. Although initially, the protagonist’s family in The Shining appears normal, a deeper look reveals the opposite. Jack, the protagonist who is supposed to be a competent father, turns out to be an impotent man under a great deal of pressure in hopes of making ends meet. His obedient wife Wendy starts to question his authority. Lastly, Jack’s son Danny who seems normal is troubled by having horrifying visions. What may have been an ordinary family is inevitably changed by patriarchal dominance.

 Jack, himself is overwhelmed by patriarchal dominance. Jack who is depicted as a patriarchal figure seeks to exert control over his family, which is expressed by his aggression. As Sobchack mentions in his article, “... the horror film plays out the rage of paternal responsibility denied the economic and political benefits of patriarchal power.” (152) To support his family, Jack accepts a caretaker job of a seemingly harmless isolated hotel for about 6 months. Feeling insignificant in helping his family, Jack tries to reduce the dissonance by asserting himself as a dominant male. Whenever he feels his authority is being challenged, he acts violently as it is exemplified in the scene where he shows hostility when Wendy interrupts his writing. Jack ultimately succumbs to his fear of failing as a role model and as a result, Jack takes out his frustration on Wendy.

Wendy is a direct victim of Jack’s patriarchy. In accepting the job as the caretaker, Jack does not consider Wendy’s opinions and does only what he wants. Throughout the movie, Wendy is shown to take the caretaker’s role due to Jack’s negligence. She seems to serve her husband and make sacrifices to keep the family peaceful and functional. In a rather dark turn of events, Wendy begins to suspects Jack for his questionable past. This results in Wendy resisting Jack’s authority. Jack’s violence does not end with Wendy, but is also transferred to Danny.

 Jack’s frustration leads him to abuse his own son. Danny who plays the figure of “the baby [that] has been culturally produced as a figure of poignant sweetness – helpless, vulnerable, and dependent not only because of its physical immaturity, but also because of its lack of the “corrupting” knowledge necessary for survival in the social world.” (Sobchack 148). In the end, it is Danny who takes the true role of a father figure to provide his family deliverance from his father’s downfall.

Patriarchal dominance is what destroys Jack’s family. Jack’s ambition to be a good role model eventually results in his insanity. Initially obedient, Wendy is forced to fight back and destroy what remains of her marriage. Danny, a weak child eventually takes leadership and saves the family. Though at first glance it may seem possible for a family to appear flawless, a greater analysis shows that behind the façade even “ordinary” families have something more to them.