Abstract: As a major subgenre of the gothic， Southern Ontario gothic is one prominent feature of Alice Munros short stories. It presents the terror catalyzed in the tedious and grotesque life by digging into the unknown and strangeness of the small towns in Southern Ontario. In Open Secrets， one of her best stories， Munro explores the alienation and violence underlying the grotesque atmosphere in Carstairs. Furthermore， female perspectives and psychological depiction， and characteristics of Southern Ontario gothic， are analyzed in detail to help give a better view of how Munro tries to uncover the terrifying secrets and evil masked by the seeming quietness in life.

Key words: Alice Munro, Open Secrets, Southern Ontario gothic, terror, female perspective