On Dreams

Most repressed desires are erotic in nature. Dreams do not have to be erotic to reveal erotic desire. Freud attributes the bulk of these desires to infantile sexuality, which informs adult sexuality, foreshadowing his later work The Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905). The psychologist argues that every person retains elements of their infantile sexuality, and these elements make themselves known through dreams. The mind transforms repressed sexual desires into images called “symbols” (80). Many symbols are common and can be interpreted in similar ways.

Freud’s claim in Chapter 12 asserts that most repressed desires are born out of infantile sexuality. His choice to reveal this fact late in the book is intentional. Earlier chapters must first establish the relevancy of dream work and interpretation. Each chapter moves deeper into the function and processes of dreams. Freud models his approach to the process that he identifies in dream composition. By waiting until Chapter 12 to demonstrate how dreams express repressed erotic desires, he establishes trust with the reader and maintains a sense of scientific credibility. His theories about infantile sexuality remain controversial; prior to Freud, scientists had not associated children with having sexual feelings or urges. However, much of Freud’s work on child development is centered on the idea of a child’s sexuality. These erotic desires are so taboo to the adult consciousness that they are concealed by the unconscious mind. The theme of Dreams as Expressions of Desire emphasizes this point by demonstrating how certain symbols represent various urges and wishes.

Dream symbolism is an ancient technique. Certain symbols usually have the same meaning. For example, a king or queen typically symbolizes a father or mother. The sexes can be represented in many ways, including agricultural references like seeds or flowers. The only way to determine whether these images are really symbols or can be interpreted in other ways is through listening to the patient. Freud warns against jumping to conclusions before completing the challenging work of thorough analysis.

Freud denounces the idea that dreams are merely a collection of random images or that they are a meaningless and insignificant projection of everyday life. For the psychologist, dreams have meaning. The theme Making Meaning Through Analysis reveals how analysis can open and unlock the unconscious mind. However, this is not without its own set of problems. Freud’s work has been criticized for forcing patients into false confessions or leading them toward fabricated memories. Freud advocates for sitting with a dream and following its many associative paths in detail. The fact that this approach cannot be scientifically measured leaves much room for error. Because Freud suggests that the ego dominates dreams by revealing hidden truths about pleasure and desire and that these repressed thoughts influence behavior, psychoanalysts could also be subject to influence from their own egos. Therefore, their interpretation may only be presented through a lens of their own desires and understandings.