The Shining: Chapter 53 Summary & Analysis

Hallorann gets to the snowmobile at the same time Wendy is dragging herself through the hallway on her way back to the room. Hallorann doesn’t want the snowmobile, just the gas can strapped to the back. Still wearing Howard’s mittens, he tries to unstrap the gas can as the lion gains on him, snarling and growling. The lion swats him across the backside, sending him flying. Bleeding, Hallorann crawls back to the snowmobile and grabs the gas can. He opens it, splashing the arms of his parka. The lion charges, and Hallorann soaks it with gasoline.

Hallorann narrowly misses a swat from the lion and throws more gasoline at it. He rips Howard’s mitten off with his mouth, tasting gasoline, and digs in his pocket for a lighter. As the lion charges him, Hallorann strikes the lighter, and the sleeve of his parka erupts in flames. Hallorann feels no pain, and the flame travels upward, igniting the lion. He plunges his flaming arm into the snow, and brings it back up without serious damage. The lion burns, snarling and hissing.

Hallorann takes the half-empty gas can back to the snowmobile and straps it on the back. He gets back on the snowmobile, and starts it up. Hallorann drives in the direction of the main gate, not knowing where the rest of the hedge animals are. He doubts he will get through the gate, but he manages to inch it open just enough to squeeze the snowmobile through. Speeding in the direction of the hotel, Hallorann sees the hedge animals lined up in front of the porch. He opens the throttle and heads straight for them, catching Jack and Wendy’s attention upstairs. Jack knows it is Hallorann, and he goes to greet him. 

Hallorann drives through the hedge animals at top speed and barely stops the snowmobile before jumping off and running up the porch steps. He falls but picks himself up, and one of the topiaries rips the back of his parka. Hallorann reaches the doors and flies inside, calling Danny’s name. He sees blood on the stairs and runs up them, in the direction of the caretaker’s room. Jack is hiding in the elevator, and when Hallorann gets up the stairs, Jack strikes him in the back of the head with the roque mallet. Hallorann falls, bleeding, to the floor. Now, Jack says, it is time to find Danny.