Dick Hallorann

Something I found exceedingly interesting in Stephen King’s, The Shining, was Dick Hallorann’s character. Although the story begins as portraying him as having a minuscule role, his character develops into one that is powerful and essential to the story. An argument can even be made that he is the hero of the book. Regardless, the audience can see from the beginning that Hallorann feels a strong connection for Danny, and from this, a desire to protect him from the evils of the Overlook Hotel. Having this bond between the two from the beginning sets up the ending of the book in which Dick is able to come rescue Wendy and Danny. What stood out to me the most of all of this was the ending in which the three are sitting on dock together looking out at the water. From this, King is portraying the group to be a family. This highlights the theme of family in the story and conveys the message that blood does not define family, but rather family is defined by actions. Danny lost his father to the Overlook Hotel, but Hallorann steps in at the end of the book and assumes the position as Danny’s grandfather. In a way, Hallorann proves to be more of guardian for Danny than his own father because he was willing to put his life in risk in order to get to Danny. The skin color difference between Hallorann, an African America, and the Torrance family, white, further emphasizes King’s point that family is defined by the actions and relationships we have with those around us.