The Uncanny (Freud)

In Freudian psychology, "The Uncanny" refers to a feeling of eeriness or discomfort caused by something familiar that suddenly appears strange or unsettling. It occurs when everyday objects, memories, or ideas reveal hidden aspects of ourselves, making us feel uneasy. For example, a childhood doll that looks almost like a real person can evoke the uncanny because it blurs the line between the familiar and the strange. Freud believed this sensation highlights the tension between our conscious mind and repressed unconscious fears, making us uneasy in situations that are both familiar and strangely unfamiliar at the same time.