Why is death uncanny

Close mobile search navigation Article Navigation. Volume LXIV. Article Contents. Oxford Academic. Google Scholar. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Article PDF first page preview. Issue Section:. You do not currently have access to this article. Download all slides. Sign in Don't already have an Oxford Academic account? The super-ego projects all the things it represses onto this primitive image of the double.

Hence the double in later life is experienced as something uncanny because it calls forth all this repressed content: -- Alternative meanings for this form of the double: a. See "Uncanny" This aspect of Freud's theory will become important for our interpretation of Hofmannsthal's "A Tale of the Cavalry. But it is not only this latter material, offensive as it is to the criticism of the ego, which may be incorporated in the idea of a double. There are also all the unfulfilled but possible futures to which we still like to cling in phantasy, all the strivings of the ego which adverse circumstances have crushed [.

Freud's general thesis: The uncanny is anything we experience in adulthood that reminds us of earlier psychic stages, of aspects of our unconscious life, or of the primitive experience of the human species. It sees itself as stronger than reality; e.

These are common conceptions of primitive life. Freud is not entirely satisfied with his own conclusion. Not everything that returns from repression is uncanny. Return of the repressed is a necessary condition for the uncanny, but not a sufficient one. Something else must also be at play here in order to create the experience of the uncanny. To understand this, Freud returns to the study of fiction for help.

But Freud asks why our experience of the uncanny in our real-life experiences and in fiction are different. His answer we know it already!

I try to occupy my mind with volunteering but it is always there. I will be 5 yrs. Only those who have walked in our shoes can understand. I wish you well.

Joy June 27, at am Reply. Lovey I lost my husband in July unexpectedly. I feel your pain. The closer it gets to the 1 year date my anxiety and depression are out the roof. I am lost, lonely, scared all kinds of emotions. The pain of losing my soulmate hurts all over. Someone said to me today, you need to get over your depression. I told them Steve my husband was always by my side to make it go away.

I know someday we will be together again 4-ever. My prayers go out to everyone on here. For those who have lost a child I wish I could give you a hug. May God wrap his arms around you and give you the comfort only he can.

God bless each of you. Love and hugs. Laurajay May 31, at am Reply. Struggling today. It is my moms birthday and she passed away 13 years ago. I miss her so much. A year ago I was visiting family and had a great visit, then two weeks later on June 12, I got word my older brother age 59 unexpectedly passed away. Then I feel guilty as I know his wife and son hurt so much more. I know I will always have these holes in my heart, but felt like I was coping so much better until my brother passed.

Janice May 25, at pm Reply. My heart goes out to all of you. I too have lost my son in the last year. He was 18 and died of liver disease. Like you, I find it amazing that we somehow go on. And that we are in on the secret that these things can happen to anyone. Charlotte Howard May 24, at pm Reply. Thank you so much for your insight! Alaimh Counselling May 23, at pm Reply.

Kathleen May 21, at am Reply. The word uncanny is definitely a fitting adjective to use within my grief life. That I have survived the death of my son … uncanny!! That I sleep and wake, uncanny. I feel thirst and hunger, uncanny. That there are mothers and fathers like me, surviving the death of our children.

Uncanny, strange, surprising, mysterious…all of it. I shake my head and wonder how, how do we do it? Living has become uncanny. Tracy May 20, at am Reply. Yes I agree totally too…. I am very new on this path regarding my youngest son who is missing after a river rapids accident and not found, presumed trapped in underwater cavern.

I realising that I will not be able to go back to my old normal…or infact my old old normal, that now I will have to find a new normal…. MY normal and comfortable now meeting and creating a sense of unknowing, uncertainty, not so much unfamiliar…. Carol Lavelle May 19, at pm Reply. Yes I agree uncanny seems a perfect word to use. We are only eleven months down the line after our son took his own life.

The holidays and birthdays have been odd, normal but not; uncanny. Our daughter wearing his jacket, it was normal for her to nick his clothes but now feels just slightly off kilter; uncanny. All once comfortable but now uncomfortably, I am sure a new comfortable will replace the old comfortable eventually. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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May 19, Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. An Explainer Read More. Read More. See More. Mishka January 6, at pm Reply Uncanny can also describe the unexpected.

Lovey June 21, at pm Reply Hi Sue Very sorry for your loss, and also for the losses of everyone else here that wrote in, as well. Wendy June 23, at pm Reply Lovey, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. Valerie Hohenberger June 10, at pm Reply I never had the word to descrbe the conflicting feelings that I have, but uncanny seems to fit!