6. One of the first signs of Jack’s freefall into madness is that he begins to obsessively wipe his mouth. In fact, it almost becomes a nervous tick. What is the unconscious significance of this action for Jack, both symbolically and historically?

[Jen]

Comments:

[Pip]

I thought that it was linked to his drinking, originally, but it returned under the stress of living in the Overlook.

[Paula]

Like Pip said: it's linked with his drinking. When Jack was an alcoholic he used to wipe his mouth that way after every drink he had. The hotel is affecting him like alcohol and he starts wiping his mouth.

[Patrick]

I guess that this stems historically from old (good) bartending practice to leave a thick collar of foam on top of beers, which left the drinker no other choice than to wipe his mouth upon the first few sips. However, for Jack, this is merely symbolical and probably inherited from his father, as Jack's poison of choice appeared to be martinis.

[Kristel]

Many of his character traits of his drinking return at the hotel. I guess he could be called a "dry drunk".