The Shining

Dorothea Lasky's work presents a unique feminist psychological exploration within a haunting landscape, revisiting the Overlook Hotel and its characters, while highlighting the enduring impact of language and history.

In The Shining, Dorothea Lasky crafts an intricate ekphrastic horror lyric that explores a uniquely feminist psychological landscape. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Overlook Hotel, Lasky delves into the familiar yet unsettling spaces that have been portrayed in both Stephen King’s original work and Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptations. Through her poetry, she invites readers to traverse the hotel’s haunting corridors, revealing layers of meaning that may have been overlooked in previous interpretations.

Lasky’s approach allows her to inhabit characters and settings that have often been reduced to mere archetypes. By reimagining these figures, she breathes new life into the narrative, emphasizing their complexities and the emotional weight they carry. The poems serve as a lens through which we can examine the interplay between memory, identity, and the spectral presence of the past. Each verse resonates with the echoes of history, inviting readers to consider how language itself is haunted by the ghosts of previous selves and poetic predecessors.

Ultimately, The Shining challenges us to confront the ways in which our understanding of horror and femininity is shaped by cultural narratives. Lasky’s work is a reminder that language is never static; it is imbued with the memories and experiences of those who have come before us. Through her exploration of the Overlook Hotel, she reveals the intricate connections between space, identity, and the haunting nature of language, offering a fresh perspective on a well-known tale.