The concept of the uncanny can be difficult to understand; this is why Freud begins his essay with an analysis of the different definitions of the uncanny in various languages. Ultimately Freud argues that the German terms “heimlich” and “unheimlich” correspond better to the definition of uncanny because it is translated as familiar and unfamiliar. The uncanny can be defined as something that creates a feeling of familiarity but also of unfamiliarity, and this unfamiliarity is what scares the individual. Freud's essay “The Uncanny” can be related to the field of literary criticism because it explains how the feeling of the uncanny relates to the author's attempt to convey a certain response from the audience. This type of analysis connects Freud's work and Larsen's novel in order to re-examine and discuss some moments in Passing that after a second look can be defined as disturbing. Passing is a short novel focusing on two mixed women who reunite in their adult lives and describe how they are trying to "pass" as white to society. The reason for Clare's death is to be able to live a luxurious life with her white husband who is extremely racist. While Irene tries to pass when she goes out in society, her husband Brian is fully aware of this and is a black doctor. Irene and Clare's childhood and past are vague, which leaves room for psychoanalysis, particularly with the character Irene and her feelings towards Clare. Through psychoanalytic criticism of the disturbing moments that occur in Larsen's novel Passing, tension is created between Irene and Clare and it is argued that Irene pushed Clare out of the window which caused her death so that Irene could maintain her safe life with her husband . of a disturbing... medium of paper... the above ideas give merit to the thesis that Irene caused Chiara's death. Since the first disturbing moment provides the basis for the underlying resentment towards Clare, and is projected by Irene's action to try to ignore Clare. When Chiara and Irene discuss the act of “passing” there is a sense of jealousy that Irene feels for Chiara and her material and social gains. The moment Jack meets Irene proves to be a moment where Irene's subconscious wish for Clare to be removed from her life comes forward. Therefore, using Freud's explanation of the uncanny, it can be argued that Clare's return to Irene's life causes the uncanny feeling due to the return of a repressed memory of a conflict between the two of them. Works Cited Larsen, Nella. Passing. New York: Penguin, 2003.Freud, Sigmund. “The Disturbing”. 2RW6 English Course Package. Dr. Amber Dean. Page. 249-269.