No.5 is where we get to know Jack a little better, hear about the job description, learn about the history behind The Overlook, and get lied to.
Ullman’s office contains heavy information around America, alcohol & drugs, absorption of resources conquest, Colonialism, and a possible connection to Carl Jung.
The conversation centers around what Jack’s job would be, how much pride Jack has around what he’s rather be doing, the Tragedy of 1970, Charles Grady, the literal definition of cabin fever, the best set up for a classic ghost story, and how Kubrick is the most unreliable narrator.
Kubrick’s composition positions Watson as a visual equal to Jack, and casts an actor who has a similar voice to the distinctly voiced Jack Nicholson.
It is important to pay attention to Jack’s positive demeanor, as it is more affable and congenial than he is the remainder of the film. It is important that this is how we are introduced to Jack, so this demeanor is what we use as a baseline.
Jack claiming his true profession as a writer is a source of pride but an indicator of value in American Culture. The fact that he lies about his wife’s character for his own benefit shows that being a husband doesn’t even rate as a value at all. The fact that we don’t notice is another problem.