Shadow In Jungian Psychology

Carl G. Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, comes up with several theories which influenced many fields from psychology to literature and films. Jung focuses on the deep sides of the psyche and he suggests that our unconscious part is also connected to our ancestors and myths in terms of archetypal norms (Jung 261) In Jungian psychology there are various levels of psyche such as persona, anima/animus, shadow, self and many more. Among these levels, shadow plays an important role in the human psyche. Shadow is a concept where less likeable features reside in and it is the opposite of the ego (Caro iv). By being the center of the consciousness, ego is confronted with the shadow in some cases by means

Even though shadow is considered as ‘bad’ or ‘evil’ side of the human psyche in most of the written works, it is actually not a certain feature. Shadow does not have to contain only the evil aspects of the person, it can also reveal one’s hidden attributes and personalities. It can be unexplored potential, such as affection, creativity, or psychic ability, that goes unexpressed (Vogler 68). Ketola makes a similar point by saying, the shadow is not necessarily a hidden evil because it also incorporates the characteristics that contrast the less likeable features of the ego (201). Another subject is about confronting the shadow, which may start the individuation process as it makes one self-aware better than before. In that sense, the shadow is a crucial part of our psyche in the context of individuation. “The shadow is on one side regrettable and reprehensible weakness, on the other side healthy instinctivity and the prerequisite for higher consciousness” (Pennachio 243). To that effect, the shadow is also a two-sided complex which can be in shape of less likeable or more likeable

In other words, as Vogler mention, shadow represents the power of suppressed emotions (65).As the emotions pressed every time when an unfavourable situation happens, shadow also significantly grows and when it shows up, it causes a series of problematical situations. Jung states “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” (33). In that sense, it can be assumed that in the Shining, Jack has a weak ego as his conscious awareness is limited. Ego can be explained as the part that connects our inner and outer world (Journal Psyche). Taking care of the Overlook Hotel, Jack struggles linking his inner and outer worlds together and the outer world dominates his inner one which causes adverse effects. Within the Jungian concepts, it can be said that Jack is a dreamer as he fails to balance his ego and shadow by being dominated by his shadow, however, Danny is an insider as he controls his shadow and ego together without being under the influence of the outer world. Their transition to shadow happens in an opposite way which causes a chaotic situation in the Overlook Hotel. In the early scenes of the movie, it is stated that when Danny was younger, Jack dislocated Danny’s shoulder with a sudden anger, which indicates that his shadow becomes visible due to his repressed