The Dangers of Isolation

                Recently I had the opportunity of watching the famous horror movie “The Shining”. As famously known, “The Shining” is a provocative film that centers on a family who is staying at an empty hotel. At the isolated hotel, the father, Jack Torrance, supposedly becomes possessed by supernatural forces and attempts to murder his wife and young son. Yet I always believe that isolation rather than the supernatural plays an imperative role to Jack’s malicious actions. Jack who is already a selfish man is constantly jealous of the fact that his son receives more attention from his wife. Therefore at the isolated hotel, Jack is forced to watch the loving interaction between his wife and son driving him to a path of evil and uncontrollable jealousy. Also, Jack had no one to confide in so he resorted to unrealistic imaginations. His imaginations are further fueled by the fact that a father killed his family at this very hotel a long time ago. The potent effect of isolation also significantly affects characters of Winesburg Ohio. For instance, Enoch Robinson of “Loneliness” serves as an epitome of an isolated being. Enoch like Jack is characterized as “a complete egotist” (102). Therefore, Enoch resorts to isolation since he “[wants] most of all the people in his own mind, people with whom he could really talk, people he could harangue and scold by the hour, servants, to his fancy” (102). Enoch possesses a childlike immaturity so he indulges in unrealistic imaginations. As a result, Enoch is prevented from real social interactions depriving him of wisdom and worldly expertise. Enoch’s imaginary world escalates his dependence on imaginations. Consequently, the devastating effect of isolation claims Enoch as its victim. Enoch’s downfall begins when a female neighbor starts to visit his room. Enoch like other men becomes emotionally and sexually attracted to her. His strong feelings for her causes an inner turmoil within him since he is so used to being alone. For instance, Enoch first “[becomes] mad to make her understand [him]” but then also feels that “he would be submerged, drowned out” if the woman understood his imaginary world (106). Thus, Enoch rejects the woman forever ruining his chance of maturity. He further exacerbates his situation by saying “vile words” at the woman which results in “all the life that there had been in the room” to follow out the departing woman (107). By finally accepting the truth that his imaginary world is far from reality, Enoch sadly realizes that he will be all alone by himself. Enoch’s obsession with an imaginary world hampered his chance of love and most importantly, a vivacious life. It is evident that Enoch will now have a sad and vacant life since he is aware that he is the one to blame. Both Enoch and Jack chose isolation in order to satisfy their selfish needs. However, they did not know that isolation would get to them. Therefore, karma made a visit to both men: Enoch is now bound to be a miserable loner and Jack is simply dead.