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Slide 1: Introduction
 This presentation intends to explore the prominent concept of the uncanny in the works of
the American writer Stephen King, specifically in Carrie and The Shining, and delve into
the psychological underpinnings that make this element central in his novels.
 Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy that explores the interplay between the conscious and
unconscious aspects of the human mind to address psychological disorders.
Psychoanalysis attempts to understand the complex nature of humans. Psychoanalysis has
influenced various academic fields, including literature, by exploring the psychological
motivations behind human conduct. Psychoanalysis and literature have a solid
relationship because literary writings are the creations of the human mind and are
unimaginable without human psychology.
 King is an American author born in September 1947 and renowned for his significant
impact on American popular culture through his contributions to the horror genre. King
has achieved significant success as a representative of the horror genre, particularly in
amplifying basic fears. Since King’s debut with Carrie in 1974, his works have been met
with acclaim and animosity from literary critics, yet his stories clearly have struck a
chord with a vast audience globally. Numerous factors contribute to the widespread
popularity of King. He employs an easily understandable style, and his protagonists
typically embody regular and familiar individuals. However, these protagonists are
portrayed with psychological intricacy and sincere empathy as they confront highly
challenging circumstances arising from interpersonal conflicts or encounters with
supernatural entities.

Slide 2: The definition of psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a comprehensive psychological and psychotherapeutic theory developed by
Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It aims to understand and treat
psychological disorders, as well as explore the workings of the human mind. Freud’s
psychoanalytic ideas claim that the conflict between internal and external realms is essential. The
human psyche is governed by consciousness, which acts as a barrier between the internal and
external worlds. Although Freud’s theories are groundbreaking and have had a lasting influence
on psychology, psychiatry, and the humanities, they have also been the subject of critique and
debate. Over time, many other psychoanalytic thinkers, such as Jung, Adler, and Melanie Klein,
have branched out with their respective theories and perspectives that agree with and oppose
Freud’s ideas. For example, psychoanalytical theory of personality, which is one of Freud’s most
significant works, portrayed personality as an iceberg. In Freud’s view, the portion of the iceberg
representing one’s conscious self that is exposed only accounts for 10% of the whole, and the
unconscious mind occupies the other 90% submerged below water. Consequently, Freud divides
the human personality into three aspects: the id, ego, and superego. Jung, one of Freud’s
students, probed even more profoundly. According to Jung, there is a layer of the unconscious
that lies beneath it, which he calls the collective unconscious.
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Psychoanalytic theory contains many concepts, the most important of which are the unconscious
mind, defense mechanisms, transference, countertransference, and free association.

Slide 3: Uncanny
 The frightening feeling may come in the form of telepathy; telepathy and the uncanny are
related because both phenomena often evoke a sense of wonder, mystery, or discomfort.
 Sigmund Freud linked the uncanny to repressed desires, the return of the repressed, and
the blurring of boundaries between the known and the unknown.
 Uncanniness was first explored psychologically by Ernst Jentsch in a 1906 essay, On the
Psychology of the Uncanny. The concept of the Uncanny was later elaborated on and
developed by Sigmund Freud in his 1919 essay "Das Unheimliche" or, "The Uncanny",
 The term "uncanny" originates from the German word "unheimlich," which means
"unhomely" or "unfamiliar."
Early literary and philosophical explorations of the uncanny can be traced to German
Romantic literature, notably the works of E.T.A. Hoffmann.
Ernst Jentsch's essay "On the Psychology of the Uncanny" (1906) was a precursor to
Freud's analysis.
 Key elements and themes that contribute to the unsettling nature of the concept:
The uncanny involves something that is simultaneously familiar and strange. It can be a
known place, object, or person, but there is a disconcerting or unfamiliar aspect to it that
creates a sense of unease.
Repetition and Replication: The theme of repetition, duplication, or replication is often
associated with the uncanny.
Sigmund Freud's concept of the uncanny is closely linked to repressed desires and
emotions. The uncanny often reveals hidden or suppressed aspects of the psyche.
The uncanny often involves the transgression of societal or personal taboos. It may
include taboo subjects, behaviors, or situations that evoke discomfort.
The feeling of isolation or being alone in a strange or unsettling environment can
contribute to the uncanny. Isolation heightens the sense of vulnerability and
disorientation.
 Sigmund Freud's essay "The Uncanny" (written in 1919) explores the concept of the
uncanny, which refers to something that is strangely familiar yet simultaneously uncanny,
unsettling, or even frightening. In this essay, Freud delves into the psychological
underpinnings of the uncanny, examining why certain things can evoke such a peculiar
and unsettling feeling in individuals.
 Freud begins by acknowledging that the term "uncanny" (in German, "unheimlich") is
difficult to define precisely. He suggests that it can encompass anything that relates to
what is known and familiar but that has been concealed, forgotten, or repressed. It's
something that brings forth a sense of discomfort or eeriness because it blurs the
distinction between the familiar and the unfamiliar.
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 Freud explores the idea that the uncanny often arises from the recurrence of something
familiar in a strange or unexpected context. He discusses the concept of the "double"
(doppelgänger) and how encountering one's own doppelgänger or seeing familiar faces in
unfamiliar places can be deeply unsettling.
 Freud cites examples from various works, including E.T.A. Hoffmann's stories, which
often feature bizarre, supernatural occurrences and characters.
 The Uncanny in Childhood and Dreams: Freud looks at how the uncanny relates to early
childhood experiences and dreams. He believes that the feeling of the uncanny can be
traced back to events and experiences from childhood, which are later repressed and
resurface in altered forms.
 Freud mentions that some aspects of the uncanny are related to desires and fears that are
normally repressed or concealed in the individual's unconscious mind. These repressed
desires can include sexual desires, aggressive impulses, or other forbidden or socially
unacceptable wishes.

 the writer Anneleen Masschelein suggests that the term uncanny itself “is untranslatable
qua form and content”. As long as the uncanny cannot be interpreted literally, its
ambiguity will continue to be open to various interpretations.

Slide 4: Carrie
 "Carrie" is a novel written by Stephen King and published in 1974. It is a work of horror
fiction that tells the story of a young girl named Carrie White who possesses telekinetic
powers. Carrie White is a shy and introverted high school student who is relentlessly
bullied by her classmates and abused by her fanatically religious mother, Margaret.
 The novel explores themes of bullying and revenge, isolation, religion, and supernatural
power. The theme of religion is embodied by the atmosphere of isolation created by
Margaret’s extreme interpretation of religious teachings, which is uncanny and
disquieting to readers. Her use of self-flagellation, punishment, and isolation against
Carrie demonstrates her perverted understanding of religion. Although the religion
remains recognizable to readers, Margaret’s extreme conduct and beliefs make it uncanny
and unfamiliar. By deviating from the widely accepted interpretation of the Christian
doctrine, Margaret fixates on notions of punishment, sin, and damnation, diverging from
religion’s emphasis on love, forgiveness, and mercy. Margaret’s extreme interpretation of
religious teachings, marked by self-flagellation, punishment, and isolation, can reveal her
latent conflicts and psychological defenses. She may use these beliefs and practices to
manage her own inner turmoil and repressed desires. By imposing these beliefs on Carrie,
Margaret endeavors unconsciously to transfer her own anxiety and guilt to her daughter.
 The supernatural power that Carrie possesses is at the core of the uncanny in the novel.
Her telekinetic abilities disrupt the ordinary laws of nature, creating a sense of the
uncanny. The uncanny arises from the extraordinary and unexplainable, making it a
central element of the story. the supernatural power, particularly in the form of
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telekinesis, can be viewed through the lens of the uncanny as a representation of

repressed desires and hidden potentials. One of Carrie's primary desires is to be accepted
and lead a normal life, free from the torment and isolation she faces. Her telekinesis
becomes a vehicle for her unfulfilled desire to fit in and experience the teenage life she's
been denied, making it an uncanny power that, when unleashed, leads to both tragedy and
empowerment. Carrie’s telekinetic power is a form of the return of the repressed. Carrie’s
family history indicates that telekinesis was previously present in her family, notably in
her grandmother; Carrie appears to have inherited her telekinesis power. Carrie had
started repressing her telekinetic talent when she was still a child to shield herself from
the untold havoc that her telekinetic power was causing. After years of having her
powers stifled, everything changed when she got her first period. Carrie is ridiculed and
humiliated by her peers after the period accident in the shower room. Carrie unwittingly
uses her telekinetic abilities when her peers taunt her, causing the light bulb to shatter;
she appears to use her powers when angry or stressed. This scene could be the catalyst for
her repressed memories about her abilities to be released.
 In "Carrie," isolation is a central element that contributes to the uncanny atmosphere of
the novel. Carrie is isolated not only due to her telekinetic powers but also because of her
shy and introverted nature. Her isolation is amplified by her mother's religious fanaticism
and abuse, making her an outcast in her own home. The bullying Carrie endures in school
deepens her sense of isolation. The way her peers treat her is uncanny in that it transforms
the familiar school environment into a place of torment and horror.
 Social issues possess the capacity to exert profound psychological effects on individuals.
Among various deviant behaviors, bullying stands out as one that can give rise to these
issues. Bullying is a prevalent theme in "Carrie," and it is the quintessential example of
the uncanny. It transforms the familiar school environment into something eerie and
unsettling. Carrie's response to the bullying takes the form of uncanny revenge. Her
telekinetic powers, dormant and concealed within her, become a supernatural force when
unleashed. The prom is a crucial scene where the themes of bullying and revenge
converge. Initially, it seems like a familiar high school event, but it becomes uncanny
when it transforms into a scene of horror and revenge. The familiar setting is disrupted as
Carrie's supernatural retaliation turns a typical high school gathering into a nightmarish
and uncanny experience. Carrie’s revenge is a response to the repeated abuse,
maltreatment, and humiliation she has endured. One of Carrie’s most egregious instances
of physical abuse occurs when she gets her first period in the school locker room. Carrie
is shocked and terrified by the sight of blood, but no one assists her; instead, the other
girls mock her and throw tampons and sanitary napkins at her. In addition to being
ridiculed by her classmates, Carrie’s mother beat her after discovering that she was
menstruating, believing that Carrie had committed a sin that caused the period.
One of the most significant desires that surfaces through Carrie's power is her desire for
revenge against her tormentors. This desire is uncanny because it takes the form of a
supernatural and uncontrollable force, blurring the line between human emotions and
extraordinary abilities. The boundary between desire and destruction becomes indistinct.
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Slide 5: The Shining

 The Shining" is a novel written by Stephen King and published in 1977. It is a
psychological horror story that revolves around the Torrance family and their experiences
at the Overlook Hotel during the winter season.
 The first thing readers will notice about the Overlook Hotel is its isolated setting,
primarily through the winter months. The road to Sidewinder is rendered inaccessible by
heavy snowfall and winds. The family is physically and psychologically isolated.
Isolation prevents the family, especially Jack, from escaping their past. Instead, he is
constantly reminded of his wrongdoings and left to confront the ghosts of his past. Jack’s
alcoholism makes him more susceptible to the hotel’s influence and also isolates him
from his family during and before the events at the hotel.isolation is one factor that can
contribute to creating tension and suspense, particularly when characters are placed in
perilous situations or are required to overcome psychological obstacles. Isolation may
present a sense of the uncanny by bringing previously repressed desires to the surface.
 In addition to the theme of isolation, the novel provides a deeper understanding of the
theme of insanity and its effects on the character of Jack. The novel portrays the gradual
descent into madness of the Torrance family, particularly the father, Jack Torrance, as
they endure the isolation of the Overlook Hotel during the winter season. Jack's madness,
driven by the malevolent forces of the hotel, blurs the boundaries between the familiar
and the uncanny. His psychological unraveling is portrayed as a transformation from
ordinary human behavior to an extraordinary and supernatural descent into madness. This
uncanny element is amplified by the hotel's dark history and supernatural occurrences,
which influence Jack's behavior and exacerbate his instability. As the story unfolds, Jack's
madness becomes increasingly disturbing, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
However, Jack hears his father’s voice emanating from the hotel, commanding him to
murder his family. At this point, Jack’s anxiety is revealed to stem from his troubled
childhood, when he could not earn his father’s love. Consequently, the hotel can identify
Jack’s anxieties and further drive him insane.
 The concept of "the double" is a significant theme in Sigmund Freud's essay "The
Uncanny" (published in 1919). Freud explores the theme of the doppelgänger, a double or
a twin, in the context of the uncanny. He notes that encountering one's own double or
seeing someone who closely resembles oneself can evoke a deep sense of unease. The
double may be classified into numerous types, including evil twins, shadows, good and
evil ghosts, two separate people with the same name, and a person’s past or future self.
Throughout the novel, Jack faces a constant internal conflict between his affectionate,
family-loving nature and the evil personality that emerges under the hotel’s malevolent
influence. The double is also introduced by Danny, who has an “imaginary friend” named
Tony. Tony allows Danny to see what will happen in the future or show him what has
occurred in the past when Danny is in a trance state. His parents initially refer to Tony as
an invisible playmate, but the fact is that Tony is a manifestation of Danny’s
subconscious. Jack's character begins as a seemingly ordinary man. However, as the story
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progresses, his personality undergoes a dramatic change. His descent into madness and
violence creates a duality or double nature in his character. The uncanny aspect lies in
how his ordinary self becomes increasingly unfamiliar and eerie as he succumbs to the
malevolent forces of the hotel.
 The novel explores the psychic abilities of the character Danny Torrance, known as "the
shining," or Telepathy, which is one of the most prominent uncanny elements in The
Shining. King achieves this through Danny, a five-year-old child who can shine, in which
he can see either things that have happened in the past or will happen in the future.The
hotel has witnessed many deaths, accidents, and acts of violence throughout its history.
Consequently, it is inhabited by spirits locked in a state of anguish and hatred. Thus, the
Overlook Hotel becomes a haunted location.

Slide 6: Conclusion
 In conclusion, this research critically analyzes King’s Carrie and The Shining by utilizing
the framework of psychoanalytic theory and the uncanny concept. Through this
perspective, the study reveals elements and themes of a social and psychological nature
that concern readers. Although the uncanny has been the topic of numerous studies, its
development based on the unfamiliar suggests that traditional definitions may not capture
its total essence, mainly when applied to contemporary literature. Therefore, this concept
is constantly evolving, and each new study conducted provides it with a new meaning.
 Stephen King employs the uncanny in "Carrie" and "The Shining" to evoke fear and
unease in the reader. By introducing elements that are familiar yet uncanny or unsettling,
authors can tap into deep-seated fears and provoke a visceral emotional response. The
blurring of boundaries between the known and unknown, the ordinary and extraordinary,
amplifies this sense of dread.

Problem of study: The research problem in this study pertains to the existing literature gap
in examining King’s novels, specifically Carrie and The Shining, in relation to Freud’s idea
of the uncanny. Although earlier research has explored the uncanny in various literary works,
the two novels have yet to be subjected to such an analysis. Consequently, the gap that this
study will fill in is a complete comprehension of the uncanny in both novels.

Deeper Psychological Understanding: Freud's psychoanalytic theory delves into the depths of
the human psyche, exploring unconscious desires, repressed memories, and complex
psychological processes. By applying this theory to King's works, readers and scholars can
gain a richer understanding of the characters' inner worlds and the psychological
underpinnings of the narratives.
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