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What are two examples of irony in The Shining?
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Two examples of irony in The Shining include the Overlook Hotel's setting and Jack Torrance's intentions. The hotel appears to be a peaceful retreat for Jack's recovery but instead becomes the catalyst for his mental breakdown, highlighting situational irony. Additionally, Jack seeks isolation at the hotel to avoid alcohol and rebuild his life, yet the hotel ironically provides alcohol, exacerbating his issues and endangering his family, illustrating the bitter irony of his situation.
There is one particularly notable example of situational irony in The Shining. The Overlook Hotel seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Jack. With its remote location high among the Colorado Rockies, its peace and tranquility, and its almost complete isolation, the hotel appears to offer everything Jack could possibly need to recover from his various health problems. But of course, this is not the case. This may not be a dark, haunted castle perennially lashed by a violent thunderstorm, but the hotel's ostensibly peaceful setting is arguably a much more effective environment for Jack's mental collapse because it provides such a stark contrast to the raging torment inside Jack's disintegrating mind.
Another example is how King treats the theme of communication. This is a story in which a number of characters are able to communicate with each other telepathically. Yet at the same time, the Overlook...
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Hotel's isolated, wintry environment ensures that modern methods of communication, such as the telephone, short-wave radio, and the roads leading to the hotel, do not work as they should and are therefore much less effective than ESP.
This question is useful. It is useful to be reminded that King isn't just a horror writer, or just out to shock readers and gross them out, but also uses a wide range of literary techniques, such as irony.
Turning to the question, there are several examples of irony in King's famous novel. The first is a major element of the plot. Jack Torrance's life is a mess. He takes this position at the hotel because it is supposed to be easy. It is supposed to give him a chance to focus on his writing and rebuild his life. However, in a massive example of situational irony, Jack's time at the hotel is not easier, and his life doesn't pull together. Instead, it is far harder, and his life gets shredded.
A related irony is Jack's relationship to drinking. Before he came to the hotel, Jack was having trouble with alcohol, and one reason he took this position was to dry out. However, the hotel itself provides him with alcohol, and sets up situations where he'll drink. His actions to save himself and his family end up putting all of them at severe risk. That's a rather bitter irony.
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