Characters
Don't worry, Mom, I know everything about cannibalism. I saw a program on it on TV.
— Danny · The Shining
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker tells their mother they already understand cannibalism, because a television programme explained it. The reassurance seems meant to calm worry, but citing TV as the source of expertise undercuts it, making the comfort darkly funny and faintly unnerving.
Context reviewed