The Shining

The Shining

• Genre: Fiction; horror, psychological thriller
• Originally Published: 1977
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 840L; adult
• Structure/Length: Divided into parts and chapters; approximately 688 pages; approximately 15 hours, 50 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering from an alcohol addiction, accepts a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel in Colorado. He moves in with his wife, Wendy, and their young son, Danny, who possesses psychic abilities known as "the shining." As the isolated hotel becomes snowbound, supernatural forces within the hotel begin to awaken, leading Jack to question his grip on reality and fight for his family’s survival. The central conflict revolves around the Torrance family’s struggle against the malevolent forces of the hotel and the dark secrets it holds.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of horror, violence, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and family dysfunction

Stephen King, Author

• Bio: Born 1947; American author known for his prolific output in the horror and suspense genres; King is often referred to as the "Master of Horror"; his works have sold over 350 million copies, with many of his books adapted into films, TV series, and miniseries; known for his immersive storytelling and exploration of human fears and vulnerabilities; recipient of numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature
• Other Works: Carrie (1974); The Stand (1978); Pet Sematary (1983); It (1986); Misery (1987); and The Dark Tower series (1982-2012); King’s bibliography includes a vast array of novels, novellas, and short stories, spanning the horror, fantasy, and science fiction genres

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Responsibilities of Parenthood
• Mental Health and the Line Between Reality and Fiction
• The Consequences of Addiction

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the social and psychological contexts around addiction and mental health that impact Jack’s cognitive state and family dynamics.
• Read and discuss paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of parenthood, mental health, and addiction.
• Plan and design a detailed postcard from the Overlook Hotel via one of the main character’s point of view that demonstrates in-depth understanding of the main characters, themes, and setting based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate the main characters, key narrative points, and themes to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the setting as a character, the protagonist’s moral ambiguity, and other topics.