FREUD’S UNCANNY ESSAYAll of the artists and writers whom we have considered thus far seem to have something in common with Sigmund Freud’s ideas. In some cases they actually did read his works, and in others they had never even have heard of him. In different ways, however, the effect and the idea of the “uncanny” appear in their works in some manner and have an impact on how their works of art affects its public. For the purpose of this short essay, please select one of Freud’s many meanings for the term and one work which we have considered so far. In the case of the films, please use only the clips we viewed in class. Please explain clearly how exactly Freud defines your chosen type of uncanniness and then indicate how the uncanny functions for that artist in your selected work so as to enhance that work’s effect on the reader or viewer. In addition to describing how the uncanny functions in the text you will want to explain precisely what use your artist makes of it stylistically and substantively. You will also want to argue, using carefully selected details from the work as your evidence, what results they hope to achieve and what the implications are of your artist’s inclusion of the uncanny. If the work is a longer one, such as a novel or a film, you should concentrate on a particular scene. If you choose a painting or short poem you may (but do not need to) write about the whole work. Please write on only one work and use only one definition for this first, short assignment.The work I selected: Hoffmann’s (1776-1822) short story “The Sandman”Eyes is the Freud’s meaning of the term (that I selected)SUMMARY OF THE TASK:1. How does Freud define the “uncanny”. Definition of the uncanny; definitions of the term itself; the semantic field of the opposition of the German words heimlich and unheimlich.2. Where/how do you see the uncanny in the Sandman. Examination of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s (1776-1822) short story “The Sandman” (1817) and a discussion of the psychoanalytic background and general context required for an understanding of the experience of the uncanny.3. What effect does it have for the viewer/for interprenting the work. Deliberations on the effect of the uncanny, in particular its aesthetic instantiation in literature and fiction.4. How does the artist use uncaninness stylistally/ substantively.5. Argue, using carefully selected details from the work as your evidence, what results they hope to achieve and what the implications are of your artist’s inclusion of the uncanny.I want this essay to be brief and to express your personal opinions, but it should also be well argued and analytical. You have been introduced to the “5-Step CAD Process and Diagnostic” in section, and you should use it to help you design and prepare for writing your essay. This essay offers a way for us to begin talking with each other on paper. It should only be about 2 pages long (approximately 600-700 words), but if you need a few extra words, we will be happy to read an extra paragraph. All written assignments for this course will be graded both based on style and on content. Some of the papers will be graded personally by the instructor. All papers will be graded according to the instructor’s rubric which is based on the CAD. Please do not write a “5-paragraph” essay, and please go beyond summarizing the text or simply describing the image or clip. Your essay should give a clear, analytic account of the exact nature and the importance of the uncanny characteristics of the work you have chosen. You should also make a case for why the presence of the uncanny, as you describe it, is essential to the experience of the work and should be of interest to all who encounter that work.Your essay should be typed in a compact 12-point font like Times, have one-inch margins, be double-spaced and be written in grammatical English.
