No.46
No.46 is a transition scene. It shows how Jack chooses to blow off steam.
American History/Culture
The Gold Room is a bar, and drinking is America’s top choice in blowing off steam.
As Jack crosses the mirrors of the space, he is shown physically reacting with rage. Whether this is a comment on men’s access to anger as their only emotion or Jack’s hatred of himself— who can say.
Domestic Abuse
The Gold Room is a bar, and Jack’s been shown to choose drinking when things don’t go his way.
The sign says “The Unwinding Hours”, foreshadowing No.47, No.53 and everything else that follows.
The Maze
Kubrick as Unreliable Narrator:
The way No.24 is styled, it seems to be the same space, but it’s a play on the eye (and in reverse). The curtains mimic the painting style and the walls.
As Jack crosses the mirrors of the space, he is shown physically reacting with rage. Whether this is a comment on men’s access to anger as their only emotion or Jack’s hatred of himself— who can say.
Kubrick’s Aesthetic:
Kubrick has the camera fixed on a space and the character enters into it.
The way No.24 is styled, it seems to be the same space, but it’s a play on the eye (and in reverse). The curtains mimic the painting style and the walls. It’s Kubrick’s way of playing with the viewer’s awareness of space and association.
Fatalism
“My husband had been out drinking so he wasn’t in the greatest of moods that night”
False Fatalism / Faustian Bargain
“God, I'd give anything for a drink. My goddam soul, just a glass of beer.”
This is a clear example of a Faustian Bargain, a classic horror movie trope. It’s also a clear example of false fatalism. Jack doesn’t conjure up a ghostly bartender that he can sell his soul to, he’s showing you he’s an alcoholic.
Mirrors
As Jack walks through the hallway, but also as he enters The Gold Room; his reflection meets him.
Doubling
the dual red couches, the pheasant centerpieces, the ashtrays, Jack and his reflection— all of it speaks to duplicity.
Color Palette reflection:
Pink & Gold, the colors of this space, are also the colors of the West Wing Living Quarters.
Red Couches, foreshadow No.87 and seeing the loveseats get soaked in blood.
Clashing Visuals
The red couches clash loudly with the pink + gold carpet. On purpose.
Black and White Photos:
The blocks of photos speak to the wealthy settlers of the space (especially in contrast to the Native American/indigenous imagery and patterning), and foreshadows No.53, No.91.
Patterns:
Geometric Patterns speak to confusion.
Ghost Story
The sign says “The Unwinding Hours”, foreshadowing No.47, No.53 and everything else that follows.
“God, I'd give anything for a drink. My goddam soul, just a glass of beer.”
This is a clear example of a Faustian Bargain, a classic horror movie trope. It’s also a clear example of false fatalism. Jack doesn’t conjure up a ghostly bartender that he can sell his soul to, he’s showing you he’s an alcoholic.
Cabin Fever
The sign says “The Unwinding Hours”, foreshadowing No.47, No.53 and everything else that follows.
The scene opens with the camera already fixed at the foreground and Kubrick has Jack walking towards the camera.
It follows Jack until he enters The Gold Room and chooses his seat at the bar. At that point, the camera’s viewpoint becomes the audience’s viewpoint- replacing the mirrors that are in front of Jack.
The Gold Room
Jack
De Natura Sonoris #2
The sound is continued from the previous scene. In No.45, we are witnessing how The Torrance’s act in a crises. In A46, we are witnessing how Jack responds.