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ART OF THE 237 LEVEL
BATTLE OF SISTERS CREEK ⎔ ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL ⎔ MAN OF VAN DIEMENS LAND ⎔ OXBOROUGH ⎔ RABBIT PRINT ⎔ STILL LIFE OF FLOWERS IN A JUG ⎔ THREE JOHN WEBBER PRINTS ⎔ YEI PICTORIAL
APPEARANCE
Painting of a hare, seen during Danny’s third lesson (41:23-41:26), and very obscurely directly over Jack typing on SATURDAY (47:01-47:10).
SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE
Done in a very similar style to the Megargee to follow. A lot of Audubon-style paintings had this kind of technique to them, but I think Kubrick’s honouring painters who achieved a more anatomical, naturalistic style.
Until I ID the artist, I can’t say much, but go here to see all the rabbit imagery in the film. My strongest feeling is that rabbits associate to Hallorann, and that the hotel wants Hallorann dead the most, so this art appearing above a Jack at “work” seems apt.
The closest image I’ve ever found to the one in the film is Joseph Smit’s depiction of the African Savannah Hare, which is the rabbit thought to be the breed for Br’er Rabbit (referenced by Jack on page 203), which has a connection to American slavery. In that context, the rabbit could stand as a symbol of the slave’s ability to outwit the white slaver, so its connection to Danny’s lessons, and Jack’s failure to have lessons would be apt, there. It would also likely connect to Jack’s singing out a slave’s song near the end.
Also, since its last appearance is at 2830 seconds into the film (47:10), that’s a jumble of the room I believe the hotel absorbs Dick’s soul into, room 238.
MIRRORFORM SIGNIFICANCE
When it’s above typing Jack, the mirror action is Jack stalking toward killing the radio.
When it’s beside triking Danny, Wendy is saying to Tony/Danny, “I’m just gonna go talk to daddy for a few minutes. And I’ll be right back.” It’s possible we’re meant to think of the rabbit in concert with the spaniel and the deer/caribou head to come. As a trio they might speak to Tony’s attitude toward what Wendy’s saying here: the gentle rabbit is going to go after the birding dog and the horned buck. Good luck, Wendy!
Next art reference: English Springer Spaniel
MAIN PAGE ⎔ SECTION PAGE ⎔ SITE MAP ⎔ GLOSSARY
OTHER MAIN PAGES FOR SHINING ANALYSIS
THE MIRRORFORM ⎔ THE BEATLES ⎔ THE RUM AND THE RED
BACKGROUND ART ⎔ OVERLOOK PHOTOGRAPHS ⎔ GOLDEN SPIRALS
PHI GRIDS ⎔ PATTERNS ⎔ VIOLENCE AND INDIGENA ⎔ ABSURDITIES
THE STORY ROOM ⎔ ANIMAL SYMBOLS ⎔ THE ANNOTATED SHINING
EYE SCREAM 