Conrad Aiken was a short story writer, poet, critic and novelist. Most of his work reflected his interest in psychoanalysis and the development of identity and "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" was no exception. In the story the main character, Paul Hasleman isolates himself from the rest of the world by creating an extended daydream. Throughout the story the theme, sanity verses insanity is developed through characters and events.

In "Silent Snow. Secret Snow" Paul has an extended daydream that is unknown to others. It also offers seclusion as Aiken states, " It was as if, in some delightful way, his secret gave him a fortress, a wall behind which he could retreat into heavenly seclusion." (519). Paul values his secret so much that he says it can cause pain to others and he would still keep it. This is the beginning of Paul's insanity.

Once Paul gets emotionally attached to...