In Stephen King’s classic thriller The Shining, five-year-old Danny Torrance is immersed in a world of divorce, his father’s alcoholism, and an unforgettable stay at the Overlook Hotel. Periodically throughout the book the young boy has recurrent visits from Tony, a slightly older boy who can only be seen by Danny. From his parents standpoint, Tony is the standard imaginary friend, until Danny’s out-of-reality visions and “special gift” evolves into more than his imagination alone. When Tony shows him “BAD THINGS”, it becomes apparent that he is anything but happy, carefree childhood make-believe, but instead a part of Danny’s unusual psychic abilities. When Danny’s father, the alcoholic and bad-tempered Jack Torrance, gets the forewarned…show more content… Danny always seems to choose Jack over his mother Wendy, even when Jack had broken his arm in a state of intoxication after Danny had scattered papers from Jack’s playwright all around his office. It isn’t until later, after their move into the hotel, that the Overlook possesses Jack and turns him against his family. Tony, who appears after a long absence, arrives to help Danny escape the homicidal intentions of his deranged father whose choice of weapon is a roque mallet. Tony is then revealed as a representation of a part of Danny when he is older and a part of his father meshed into one. Even the name “Tony” was adopted from Danny’s middle name, Anthony. Tony comes to Danny towards the end of the climax as Danny is hiding from his father: “And now Tony stood directly in front of him, and looking at Tony was like looking into a magic mirror and seeing himself in ten years […], as if Tony – as if the Daniel Anthony Torrance that would someday be – was a halfling caught between father and son a ghost of both […]” (King). Danny sees Tony up close in the doorway, and recognizes him as himself “in ten years” and sees the essence of his father reflecting through the same eyes. King acknowledges this as a concept of predestination: “Whatever is going to happen to (Jack), in a way, has already been decided. Therefore, when he moves, he carries his…show more content… Although frightening at times, Tony functions as Danny’s only friend, emotional support (even when warning him of a bloody and arduous future for his family), and foreshadowing as Danny’s older self. His role gives the book a rounded personality, not only does it give a more lively depth but it peaks readers’ interest in the Danny he will grow up to be, and if he will really be anything like his father. Overall Stephen King’s classic gives us an exciting and blood-chilling story about the horrifying adventure of the Torrances, and the development of Tony furthermore enriches the
