Sigmund Freud: Defining the "Uncanny"
The uncanny makes people recall events that they do not wish to be familiar. Freud states (as cited by Shelling) "everything is uncanny that ought to have remained hidden and secret, and yet comes to light" (4). The reason why people are so frightened by things they call "uncanny" is because it makes people remember paste events that they try their hardest not to think about.