Abstract

The Mirror Object as a Motif in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut endeavors to present a way to better understand both films through an analysis of a motif common in the cinematic text of each film. As indicated by the title, this motif is the mirror object. This analysis uses the term “mirror object” in a literal and a metaphorical sense. The literal usage identifies the appearance of mirrors within the mise en scène of key scenes in each film. The literal occurrences are interesting because they contain metaphorical allusions to the mirror object in them. As one may suspect, the metaphorical usage of the term identifies all instances where mirrors are alluded to in a more abstract way, such as with film artistry, including zooms, editing, and camera angles. The fact that the metaphorical occurrences are alluded to in such a way necessitates a close stylistic analysis of the key scenes to be examined. This type of analysis functions rhetorically and narratologically to cue viewers about insights into characterization, aesthetic richness and narrative patterns. These insights ultimately function to make The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut more accessible to their viewers. Through this increased accessibility viewers should develop a greater appreciation for the films themselves, as well as for the art of Stanley Kubrick.