The Overlook Hotel: Turning Jack Into A Madman

Jack is a man filled with desires to be good. He wishes to be a good father, a good husband, and a good writer. However, his temper and alcoholism get in the way. The Overlook hotel amplifies his demons, and turns Jack into a madman. There is also a history of violence within Jack. As a kid, Jack was abused by his father, and watched his father abuse his mother. Jack's father was also an alcoholic. This could explain Jacks abusive and alcoholic behaviors towards his family. Jack believes that being isolated with Wendy and Danny for a few months will be good for his family and himself. This way, his family becomes closer, he finishes the play he has been working on, and he makes money. However, the isolation only makes things worse. He can’t hide from his inner demons. Wendy, Jack’s wife, is a strong and courageous woman. In the beginning of the book, she is going through an inner battle; to leave Jack to protect Danny and herself, which would mean living with her …show more content…
It is a question of why Danny has these talents. Danny claims he first was able to read minds and see strange visions the time around Jack hurt Danny’s arm. We know of the abusive behaviors Jack has towards his son. We learn his first abusive behavior towards Danny was when Jack was drunk and dropped baby Danny on the head. The second abusive behavior we learn about is when Jack broke Danny’s arm after Danny teared up his study and poured beer over his important play papers. Even after all of this abusive behavior, we still see Danny’s unwavering love for Jack. Danny is even haunted by the word ‘divorce’, seeing the word pop in and out of his parents heads. The last thing he wants is for his parents to split. However, Danny knows that living at the Overlook hotel for a while is not a good decision. He keeps on having bad visions leading up to the move, but he was hoping not all of what he saw in his head came