Daniel Torrance

Daniel "Danny" Torrance is a fictional character, in the 1977 novel "The Shining" by Stephen King. He is portrayed by Danny Lloyd in the film and Courtland Mead in the miniseries.

The Novel

Daniel Torrance was born to Jack Torrance and Wendy Torrance. When he was born, Wendy immediately knew that her son was special. She had a vision that he would be a boy, but she grew afraid when she could not see his face.

When Danny was three years old, he was in his father's office. He had taken out all of his papers and files and sprawled them over the floor. He took a can of his father's beer and poured it all over it just to see if it would foam. When his father came home, he was so angry that he pulled him up by the arm to spank him, inadvertently breaking his arm.

Not long after his arm was broken Danny began sensing the word DIVORCE from his parents. His mother wanted a divorce for Danny's sake and his father wanted one, because he thought they would all be happier with him gone. They agreed to stay together for Danny, and Jack promised to stop drinking to control his anger.

Danny has an ability to sense information and feelings, and also to see visions of the future. He sometimes talks to "Tony", whom his parents called his "invisible playmate." Tony visits Danny to help him with things he doesn't understand. He also guides him and tries to warn him if something bad is going to happen.

Tony told Danny that they would be going to the Overlook Hotel, which is located in Colorado, because his daddy will be the caretaker there for the winter when the hotel is secluded. Tony also said that he would need to be careful there, because there are many things at the Overlook that could hurt him.

When they arrive at the Overlook, they are taken on a tour of the grounds by Dick Hallorann. Dick sensed that Danny had the "shining". Dick warned Danny that he might see some unusual things at the hotel, but they can't hurt him unless he lets them. He also told Danny that if he needs him, he can call for Dick using his mind, and he will come as fast as he can.

During their stay at the Overlook, Danny sees several visions which greatly disturbs Wendy. The occurrences keep happening as the hotel knows that Danny has power, and the hotel wants it. Slowly, the hotel is turning Jack against his family in an attempt to get Danny.

Finally, Jack is pushed over the edge into insanity, and attacks Wendy when she tries to protect Danny from him. Danny had previously called for Dick when he sensed what was happening at the hotel and became really afraid, and Dick arrives in time to provide a means to escape the hotel, which is snowed in. Wendy and Danny manage to get out of the hotel, and Jack at last comes to his senses and realizes what he has become at the hands of the possessed Overlook Hotel. He allows the boiler to overheat, which destroys the hotel and himself, ensuring that Wendy, Danny, and Dick all get away from the hotel.