E. T. A. Hoffmann, “The Sandman” (1816)

This story follows a man named Nathaniel. As a young boy, Nathaniel comes to know of Coppelius, who Nathaniel believes to have been the cause of his father's death. Years later, Nathaniel meets a man named Coppola and swears it is Coppelius. Clara, sister to Nathaniel's friend Lothaire, replies that it is most likely all in Nathaniel's mind. One day, Coppola comes to Nathaniel and begins raving about "pretty eyes." However, the items Coppola is talking about turn out to be mini telescopes, which Nathaniel actually buys. Nathaniel later comes to know of Spalanzani's daughter Olympia and decides to propose to her. He goes to her one day but finds Coppola and Spalanzani fighting over her, arguing about who made what of Olympia. Olympia is an automotan created by the two of them. Coppola, who really is Coppelius, takes off with the doll and hurts Spalanzani. Furious, Nathaniel attemtps to strangle Spalanzani to death but is stopped and taken away. After recovering, Nathaniel is to marry Clara. They walk up a high steeple where Nathaniel at one point pulls out the small telescope. But through the lenses, he sees Clara who is actually right beside him. Nathaniel becomes mad and yells at Clara to spin and repeats "pretty eyes." Lothaire runs up the steeple and saves Clara from any harm. Nathaniel spies Coppelius and leaps from steeple, falling to his death. 

"The Sandman" has many aspects that relate to the uncanny. Freud has talked about it in his work "The Uncanny," published in 1919. It is the familiar that has turned frightening. Freud also goes on to explain the importance of eyes and its relation to the castration complex as well as the general fear invoked with losing one's sight or eyes. Many aspects of "The Sandman" can also be seen in Masahiro Mori's "The Uncanny Valley," as seen by the reactions of the townspeople towards Olympia. Mori warns others of the danger of dipping into the uncanny valley the more we try to create robots to look more human-like. Olympia was seen as very beautiful, but there was something strange and unnerving about her looks as well, which is why most people did not approach her. It questions how close are humans willing to make robots look like people, to the point that they can no longer be differentiated from real, organic humans. "The Sandman" not only brings up the idea of the uncanny, but also the theme of reality versus fantasy, as Nathaniel is constantly under question as to whether the events he witnesses throughout the novel are truly happening or in his mind.  

Sources:

Summary of Freud's "The Uncanny"

Hoffman's "The Sandman"

Masahiro Mori's "The Uncanny Valley"

About Hoffman