Difference between revisions of "Uncanny"
(The LinkTitles extension automatically added links to existing pages (<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles">https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles</a>).) (Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | In "[[The Uncanny]]" [[Freud]] seeks to explain the feeling of uncanniness. | + | In "[[The Uncanny]]" [[Freud]] seeks to explain the [[feeling]] of uncanniness. |
| − | [[Freud]] attibutes the feeling to a repressed infantile complex that has been revived. | + | [[Freud]] attibutes the feeling to a [[repressed]] [[infantile]] [[complex]] that has been revived. |
| − | Hoffman's "The Sandman" describes the figure of the Sandman who steals the eyes of children. | + | Hoffman's "The Sandman" describes the [[figure]] of the Sandman who steals the eyes of [[children]]. |
| − | The sense of uncanniness arises from that which is both fearful and frightening. | + | The [[sense]] of uncanniness arises from that which is both fearful and frightening. |
| − | [[Freud]]'s short essay on the [[uncanny]] is an important landmark in the [[history]] of [[psychoanalytic criticism]], not least in that it moves away from the analysis of [[author]]s and introduces a thematic reading of works of [[literature]] that provoke a sense of dread, unease or [[horror]] in the reader. | + | [[Freud]]'s short essay on the [[uncanny]] is an important landmark in the [[history]] of [[psychoanalytic criticism]], not least in that it moves away from the [[analysis]] of [[author]]s and introduces a thematic [[reading]] of works of [[literature]] that provoke a sense of dread, unease or [[horror]] in the reader. |
In this essay [[Freud]] explores Hollmann's stories ''The Sandman'' and ''The Devil's Elixir'', concentrating on those themes that can be related to the [[fear]] of [[castration]]: severed limbs, the children's eye that are magically removed by the sandman to feed his own children. | In this essay [[Freud]] explores Hollmann's stories ''The Sandman'' and ''The Devil's Elixir'', concentrating on those themes that can be related to the [[fear]] of [[castration]]: severed limbs, the children's eye that are magically removed by the sandman to feed his own children. | ||
| − | He interprets them as an expression of the male conviction that there is something [[uncanny]] or threatening about the female genitals. | + | He interprets [[them]] as an expression of the [[male]] conviction that there is something [[uncanny]] or threatening [[about]] the [[female]] genitals. |
| − | According to [[Freud]], the feeling of dread arises because the [[uncanny]] (''unheimlich'') is also familiar or homely (''heimlich''). | + | According to [[Freud]], the feeling of dread arises because the [[uncanny]] (''[[unheimlich]]'') is also familiar or homely (''heimlich''). |
Hoffmaann's stories evoke something that was once familiar, but which has been made unfamiliar and [[uncanny]] by [[repression]]. | Hoffmaann's stories evoke something that was once familiar, but which has been made unfamiliar and [[uncanny]] by [[repression]]. | ||
| − | The ''unheimlich'' is the entrance - the maternal genitals - to the original human home or ''Heimat''. | + | The ''unheimlich'' is the entrance - the [[maternal]] genitals - to the original [[human]] home or ''Heimat''. |
| − | [[Freud]]'s argument is underpinned by the philological theory that certain primal words have antithetical meanings and by the observation that [[dream]]s often use a single [[image]] to express contraries. | + | [[Freud]]'s argument is underpinned by the philological [[theory]] that certain [[primal]] [[words]] have antithetical [[meanings]] and by the observation that [[dream]]s often use a single [[image]] to express contraries. |
| − | [[Freud]] claims that the seeming antonyms ''heimlich'' and ''unheimlich'' are in fact synonyms adn that they prove that primitive elements still survive in the [[unconscious]]. | + | [[Freud]] claims that the seeming antonyms ''heimlich'' and ''unheimlich'' are in fact synonyms adn that they prove that [[primitive]] elements still survive in the [[unconscious]]. |
| − | The encounter with the [[uncanny]] thus relates to the rediscovery of something that is very ancient in both individual and historical terms. | + | The [[encounter]] with the [[uncanny]] thus relates to the rediscovery of something that is very ancient in both [[individual]] and historical [[terms]]. |
| − | [[Freud]] develops this concept with references to etymology and linguistic variants, and observations or fantasies that appear in novels. | + | [[Freud]] develops this [[concept]] with references to etymology and [[linguistic]] variants, and observations or [[fantasies]] that appear in novels. |
The term ''umheimlich'' | The term ''umheimlich'' | ||
| − | The French, English, and Spanish translations of unheimlich all fail to recapitulate the principal reference to the familiar, or family (heim, or home), which defines and limits the notion of the uncanny. | + | The [[French]], [[English]], and Spanish translations of unheimlich all fail to recapitulate the principal reference to the familiar, or [[family]] (heim, or home), which defines and limits the [[notion]] of the uncanny. |
| − | ''Das Unheimliche'' is defined as "that particular variety of terror that relates to what has been known for a long time, has been familiar for a long time." | + | ''Das Unheimliche'' is defined as "that [[particular]] variety of [[terror]] that relates to what has been known for a long [[time]], has been familiar for a long time." |
| − | We are presented at once with a paradox that Freud does nothing to alleviate since the familiar should not be disquieting. | + | We are presented at once with a [[paradox]] that Freud does [[nothing]] to alleviate since the familiar should not be disquieting. |
| − | This proposition is at the heart of Freud's ideas about the original pleasure-ego that coincides with the good and rejects the bad. In "Instincts and their Vicissitudes" (1915c), we find the same opposition between ego/non-ego, just as we do in "Negation" (1925h). | + | This proposition is at the heart of Freud's [[ideas]] about the original [[pleasure]]-ego that coincides with the [[good]] and rejects the bad. In "[[Instincts]] and their Vicissitudes" (1915c), we find the same opposition between ego/non-ego, just as we do in "[[Negation]]" (1925h). |
| − | Still, it is not clear why the familiar should be threatening and therefore, a second element is needed, namely, the secret, the hidden, which gives rise to the notion of hostility and danger. | + | Still, it is not clear why the familiar should be threatening and therefore, a second element is needed, namely, the [[secret]], the hidden, which gives rise to the notion of hostility and [[danger]]. |
| − | For danger is associated with penetrating what is sealed off, and strangeness—based on an idea Freud borrowed from von Schilling—with the revelation of what should by rights remain hidden because it is the bearer of transgression. | + | For danger is associated with penetrating what is sealed off, and strangeness—based on an [[idea]] Freud borrowed from von Schilling—with the revelation of what should by rights remain hidden because it is the bearer of [[transgression]]. |
| − | To these linguistic and fantasy associations, Freud, in the second part of the essay, introduces a number of literary examples (many from Hoffmann), centered primarily on the intellectual uncertainty over whether something is living or not (from Jentsch). | + | To these linguistic and [[fantasy]] [[associations]], Freud, in the second part of the essay, introduces a [[number]] of [[literary]] examples (many from Hoffmann), centered primarily on the [[intellectual]] uncertainty over whether something is [[living]] or not (from Jentsch). |
| − | There it is shown how the repetition compulsion manifests itself through the return of the repressed. | + | There it is shown how the [[repetition]] [[compulsion]] manifests itself through the [[return]] of the repressed. |
| − | This is true even in situations where we expect the new and with it the return of the dead to life. | + | This is [[true]] even in situations where we expect the new and with it the return of the [[dead]] to [[life]]. |
The figure of the [[double]] is a source of [[ambivalence]]. | The figure of the [[double]] is a source of [[ambivalence]]. | ||
| − | the Unheimliche is connected with the anxiety associated with the return of the repressed | + | the Unheimliche is connected with the [[anxiety]] associated with the [[return of the repressed]] |
| − | It represents an exemplary effort at combining literature and psychoanalysis. | + | It represents an exemplary effort at combining literature and [[psychoanalysis]]. |
| − | Freud helps establish his thesis on the basis of the study of works of literature. | + | Freud helps establish his [[thesis]] on the basis of the study of works of literature. |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | * Freud, Sigmund. (1919h). Das Unheimliche. Imago, 5: 297-324; GW, 12: 229-268; The "uncanny," SE, 17: 217-256. | + | * [[Freud, Sigmund]]. (1919h). Das Unheimliche. [[Imago]], 5: 297-324; GW, 12: 229-268; The "uncanny," SE, 17: 217-256. |
* UNCANNY (386) CD | * UNCANNY (386) CD | ||
Latest revision as of 02:58, 21 May 2019
In "The Uncanny" Freud seeks to explain the feeling of uncanniness.
Freud attibutes the feeling to a repressed infantile complex that has been revived.
Hoffman's "The Sandman" describes the figure of the Sandman who steals the eyes of children.
The sense of uncanniness arises from that which is both fearful and frightening.
Freud's short essay on the uncanny is an important landmark in the history of psychoanalytic criticism, not least in that it moves away from the analysis of authors and introduces a thematic reading of works of literature that provoke a sense of dread, unease or horror in the reader.
In this essay Freud explores Hollmann's stories The Sandman and The Devil's Elixir, concentrating on those themes that can be related to the fear of castration: severed limbs, the children's eye that are magically removed by the sandman to feed his own children.
He interprets them as an expression of the male conviction that there is something uncanny or threatening about the female genitals.
According to Freud, the feeling of dread arises because the uncanny (unheimlich) is also familiar or homely (heimlich).
Hoffmaann's stories evoke something that was once familiar, but which has been made unfamiliar and uncanny by repression.
The unheimlich is the entrance - the maternal genitals - to the original human home or Heimat.
Freud's argument is underpinned by the philological theory that certain primal words have antithetical meanings and by the observation that dreams often use a single image to express contraries.
Freud claims that the seeming antonyms heimlich and unheimlich are in fact synonyms adn that they prove that primitive elements still survive in the unconscious.
The encounter with the uncanny thus relates to the rediscovery of something that is very ancient in both individual and historical terms.
Freud develops this concept with references to etymology and linguistic variants, and observations or fantasies that appear in novels.
The term umheimlich
The French, English, and Spanish translations of unheimlich all fail to recapitulate the principal reference to the familiar, or family (heim, or home), which defines and limits the notion of the uncanny.
Das Unheimliche is defined as "that particular variety of terror that relates to what has been known for a long time, has been familiar for a long time."
We are presented at once with a paradox that Freud does nothing to alleviate since the familiar should not be disquieting.
This proposition is at the heart of Freud's ideas about the original pleasure-ego that coincides with the good and rejects the bad. In "Instincts and their Vicissitudes" (1915c), we find the same opposition between ego/non-ego, just as we do in "Negation" (1925h).
Still, it is not clear why the familiar should be threatening and therefore, a second element is needed, namely, the secret, the hidden, which gives rise to the notion of hostility and danger.
For danger is associated with penetrating what is sealed off, and strangeness—based on an idea Freud borrowed from von Schilling—with the revelation of what should by rights remain hidden because it is the bearer of transgression.
To these linguistic and fantasy associations, Freud, in the second part of the essay, introduces a number of literary examples (many from Hoffmann), centered primarily on the intellectual uncertainty over whether something is living or not (from Jentsch).
There it is shown how the repetition compulsion manifests itself through the return of the repressed.
This is true even in situations where we expect the new and with it the return of the dead to life.
The figure of the double is a source of ambivalence.
the Unheimliche is connected with the anxiety associated with the return of the repressed
It represents an exemplary effort at combining literature and psychoanalysis.
Freud helps establish his thesis on the basis of the study of works of literature.
See Also
References
- Freud, Sigmund. (1919h). Das Unheimliche. Imago, 5: 297-324; GW, 12: 229-268; The "uncanny," SE, 17: 217-256.
- UNCANNY (386) CD
