Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Shining, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Fear, the Paranormal, and Reality
Precognition, Second Sight, and the Shining
Family
Isolation and Insanity
Alcoholism and Abuse
Time
Summary
Analysis
At 8:31 a.m., MST, a woman aboard Hallorann’s flight begins to panic and scream that the plane is crashing. Outside the plane, snow falls relentlessly, and the plane rocks violently back and forth. It has been a rough flight, but the stewardess manages to calm the woman down. The pilot comes on the loudspeaker and says they will soon begin their descent, and the “NO SMOKING” light turns on. The sour-faced woman sitting next to Hallorann asks how his head is, and he says it is just fine. The plane begins to rock even more, and the woman takes off her glasses and tells Hallorann everything will be alright. She asks Hallorann if he would like to get a drink after the flight, but he politely declines. She smiles at him, a warm and friendly smile, and looks years younger.
The sour-faced woman seems to have an innate sense that the plane won’t crash, perhaps suggesting that she has a strong sense of intuition as well. Time is relative here, too, as it is only 8:30 a.m., yet the woman is ready for a drink.
Themes
Hallorann gets off the plane at Denver’s Stapleton Airport and goes directly to the car rental desk. He rents a car, and the desk attendant tells him that this is the worst storm since 1969. Hallorann can stop at the gas station on Route 270 and get chains put on the car’s tires. Hallorann thanks the attendant and leaves, passing the sour-faced woman waiting for her suitcase. She smiles and gives Hallorann the peace sign, and he feels her shine. He instantly feels badly for lying about a metal plate in his head, and he wishes her well in his head. As Hallorann gets in the rental car, he can hear the woman wishing him well, too.
Like all the other people who shine in the book, the sour-faced woman seems to be drawn to Hallorann. Their mutual ability to shine gives them a special connection, much like a family. Given the dangerous nature of the snowstorm, it’s clear that Hallorann is willing to risk his own safety in order to save Danny despite having only met the little boy briefly.
Themes
