Sigmund Freud’s "The Uncanny" in Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho" and Darren Aronofsky’s "Black Swan"

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Freud's The Uncanny
  • Diversifications of The Uncanny
  • Exemptions
• Theory of Suspense
• The Uncanny in Movies and Literature
  • Hitchcock's Psycho
  • Aronofsky's Black Swan
• Conclusion
• Works consulted and quoted
• Appendix

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to examine the concept of the uncanny, as defined by Sigmund Freud, in relation to the creation of suspense in cinema, specifically in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan. The paper will analyze the uncanny elements in both films and explore how these elements contribute to the overall sense of suspense.

• Sigmund Freud's theory of the uncanny
• The role of suspense in cinema
• The relationship between the uncanny and suspense
• Analysis of the uncanny elements in Psycho and Black Swan
• The impact of uncanny elements on the viewer

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the uncanny and its connection to suspense in film. It uses examples from popular culture to illustrate the concept of the uncanny and its ability to evoke feelings of unease and discomfort.
• Freud's The Uncanny: This chapter explores Freud's theory of the uncanny, focusing on its origins and various manifestations. It discusses the ambiguity of the term "uncanny" and its connection to the familiar and the unfamiliar.
• Theory of Suspense: This chapter delves into the theory of suspense in film, examining the techniques used by filmmakers to create suspenseful moments. It analyzes the relationship between suspense and the uncanny, arguing that the uncanny can play a crucial role in building suspense.
• The Uncanny in Movies and Literature: This chapter examines the use of uncanny elements in two specific films, Psycho and Black Swan. It analyzes how the films use the uncanny to create suspense and evoke particular emotions in the viewer.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper explores the themes of the uncanny, suspense, and the relationship between these two concepts in the context of cinema. It examines key elements like Freud's theory of the uncanny, the use of suspense in filmmaking, and the role of uncanny elements in building suspense in films like Psycho and Black Swan. The paper aims to contribute to the understanding of how the uncanny contributes to the overall experience of watching films and its impact on the viewer.