Misogyny, or the hatred of women, is an invisible presence in the film, as it’s an intangible but palpable presence within American Culture (and History).
The way Wendy is treated, both in the film, but in its critical reception, is deeply misogynistic.
Having an entire theory where The Shining is Wendy going insane is rooted in misogyny.
Jack curses at her, the audience doesn’t flinch. Jack mimics her, the audience laughs- whether or not this is to break tension and there’s subconscious discomfort at the heightened level of abuse is unclear. What is clear is that during No.64, the audience will laugh when Jack mimics Wendy with disgust and contempt.
Jack refers to his wife as “The Old Sperm Bank upstairs”, and “That Bitch”, reflecting Jack’s objectification of women and the overall reflection of how women are treated in American History.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?”
Jack’s disbelief that a ghost had harmed Danny, when he was just speaking with Lloyd, a ghostly bartender speaks to misogyny. Wendy’s experiences are not believed even though Jack himself had just engaged in his own encounter.
In this image · No.5
American Culture
Jack makes decisions for his family without considering his family. The man’s interest IS THE interest in a patriarchal society.