. Jack’s descent into madness is not just a result of ghosts, but a manifestation of his own failures as a writer and father. The "shining"—the psychic ability shared by Danny and Hallorann—acts as a metaphor for the intuition required to survive a toxic environment. The Weight of History

The hotel itself seems to be a malevolent entity. It preys on Jack’s mind, fueled by his cabin fever and past demons. He begins to lose his grip on reality, eventually being "convinced" by the hotel's spirits that he must "correct" his family.