No.13
No.13 involves Ullman showing Jack and Wendy the West Wing Living Quarters, or where the living space the Torrance’s will be occupying during their stay.
Another short scene jam packed with visual information. At 53 seconds, we see Native American children as decor on a hallway that’s bathed in light blue.
We sleep a slumped over mattress, a chair that’s upholstered in army camouflage. Ullman says goodbye to two women.
We witness Jack stare one of those women down.
As we tour the living space we’re shown elements that are pulled from the Torrance’s living space in Boulder, reference to the opening credits, and a reference to the the final scene.
American History/Culture
The 1950’s illustrated portraits of Native American children can reference not only the Grady girls’ and Danny, but can speak to the countless of indigenous children lost to indoctrination and assimilation attempts.
The Torrance’s are staying in the Staff Wing, and Ullman calls the space “your quarters”. These are not luxurious accommodations, yet Jack has an ego-driven fantasy about his greatness. This is American Culture.
The chair outside of the living space is in American military camouflage. It mimics the bell hop standing at Parade rest in No.6 as Jack tells Wendy he’s got the job.
Domestic abuse
Here’s where domestic abuse is subtle: Jack’s sunny demeanor takes over Wendy’s disappointment. Compare Wendy’s behavior and demeanor in No.11 and No.15.
Jack’s last word of “Homey” in the very space he will try and kill his family is not an accident. This is Kubrick showing you what “home” looks like for the Torrance’s.
The Maze
Kubrick as Unreliable Narrator:
Jack’s last word of “Homey” in the very space he will try and kill his family is not an accident. This is Kubrick showing you what “home” looks like for the Torrance’s.
Amalgamated Space:
There are many references to the Boulder Living space:
No.5’s green plaid, which we’ll see Wendy wear from No.45 to the rest of the film
The sunflower pillow from No.7, here it’s a saturated blue.
The floral pattern of the entry way space reflects a pattern we see No.4
Danny’s room has framed bear prints. Danny is heavily associated with bears, notably No.7, No.45, No.81
Additionally, there are many references to the other scenes as well:
The woman Jack eyes has a sweater whose stripes reflect the couch from No.12. Since stripes reflect “what is natural”, this can be understood to mean “man’s nature as behavior”: in No.12 it’s violent and in No.13 it’s sexual.
The curtain that forms as the boundary for the master bedroom is the same pattern as Room 237’s carpet, but in neutral tan.
The wooden plaque above the bed reflects the opening shot of No.2
The blue floral mattress reflects the sunflower pillow(s), the wallpaper surrounding the West Wing Hallway, and the floral imagery shown No.4
Ghost Story
Knowing that a previous caretaker killed himself and his family while staying in the same place automatically sets it up for a ghost story.
Cabin Fever
“You have the rest of the hotel to move around in”
The camera has the characters walking towards it, hanging on Jack, and cutting as the characters walk into the main living space. The camera then transitions behind the characters, following them to the bathroom. It mimics Jack in No.72
The Living Quarters is shown during scenes of tension, arguments, control, and harm.
Most notably, No.40, No.50, No.54, No.72
Ullman
Jack
Wendy
There is no additional sound to this scene.