The Shining - Propp analysis

Propp believed that stories and films follow a simple set of guidance rules that begin with the preparation, moves onto complication, transference, struggle, return, and then finishes with recognition. The shining follows this rule to some extent, although not all of the features are present or happen in exactly the same order as propp described.


Preparation -
1) Jack leaves the hotel for an interview at a hotel
2) He must stay in the hotel for 6 months / Danny must not go into the room 237
3) Jack + Danny enter the room
4,5,6) Jack disables the radio and snowcat
7) Leaving Jack in the store cupboard


Complication -
8) Danny is found with a wound on his neck
8a) Wendy takes Danny away whilst Jack is left to write
9) Jack goes to try and write
10) Wendy tries to escape by disabling Jack


Transference -
11) Different 'homes' within the narrative
12) Bathroom scene / when the snowcat arrives
13) Danny calls Halloran through the shining
14) The Shining
15) Halloran tries to rescue


Struggle -


16)Running around the maze
18) Danny escapes whilst jack is left freezing in the snow


Return - 22) Wendy rescues Danny on a snowcat


Propp also believed that every film had a basic set of characters, and this rule tends to fit the shining, the villan is Jack, the donor is Halloran, the helper is Halloran or Tony, the princess is Danny, the dispatcher is the hotel job, the hero and victim is Wendy and the false hero is Jack or Halloran.