The gothic traces of the sensation novel create an ideal avenue for the popular psychology of the Victorian period; a moment of subconscious curiosity and scientific discovery. The juxtaposition of the wild yet domestic structure of The Moonstone is not excluded from this enthusiasm. The novel thrives in the realms of the unknown, just like the trembling sands of Cobb's Hole. From this and the artefacts of discovery are drawn as the reclamation of truth occurs in the realms of the unconscious. We will explore the importance of contemporary psychology and its concerns in The Moonstone by examining the Victorian appeal of contemporary psychology and the supernaturalism of Collins' characters, observing the stirrings of both themes throughout the novel. The sensational novel of the mid-19th century, though criticized for its banal compromise, is a reliable validation of the inquiry's importunate effect on contemporary psychology. The concern of this supernaturalism is dichotomized with the detective elements of The Moonstone. Throughout the novel, we seem to question the validity of what is banal and conventional and what is otherworldly and experimental. This is well represented through the changing narratives that uphold the conventions of a small provincial Robinson Crusoe enthusiast, devout Christian member of the "Mothers Small Clothes Conversion Society" to the professional ranks of Sergeant Cuff and Mr Bruff and finally the intellectual and scientific Mr Candy and especially Ezra. Jennings. The supernaturalism of contemporary psychology is always represented by what is considered empirical by the ignorant and... middle of paper... the mysterious position in Collin's fiction is to hide and reveal secrets and to complicate everyone's knowledge of the characters. the other and themselves. Both a tomb and a hiding place, a natural phenomenon and a supernatural horror” (169). Works Cited Levy, E. “The Moonstone” and the Problem of Pain in Life. Canada: Western Canadian Victorian Association, 2002. Print.Robert, L. 'Shivering Sands' of Reality: Narration and Knowledge in Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone. Canada: Victorian Studies Association of Western Canada, 1997. Print.Hutter, D,A. Transformations and literature: the implications of detective fiction. United States: Indiana University Press. 1975. Print.Mossman, M. Representations of the Abnormal Body in “The Moonstone.” United States: Cambridge University Press.2009. Print.Collins, W. The Moonstone. England: Penguin Group. 2012. Print.