Dream Analysis: Personal Narrative

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Recommended: Dream Psychology (Psychoanalysis for Beginners) Sigmund Freud

“Such are the familiar dreams of falling from a height, of teeth falling out, of flying and of embarrassment of being naked” (Freud 69). These dreams that we experience, are believed to be representations of our desires or fears, according to Freudian ideology. Sigmund Freud also believed that there existed a structural model for our personalities that consisted of the id, ego, and superego. He held the idea that the id was an instinctual drive that relied upon the pleasure principle. Conversely, however outrageous the desire was, it was repressed by the superego. This superego functioned as a censor, which assisted us in undertaking socially acceptable behaviors, by repressing urges from the id. The ego acted upon the reality principle and is responsible for a major part of our consciousness. You might be wondering how this ties in with our dreams. Well, Freud believed the super ego repressed the deep essence of our dreams, and without it censoring our dreams, we would be left with an anxiety dream. However, he preached that dreams could be analyzed. “I shall bring forward proof that there is a psychological technique which makes it possible to interpret dreams, and that, if that procedure is employed, every dream reveals itself as a psychical structure which has a meaning and which can be inserted at an assignable point in the mental activities of waking life.” (Freud 35). A dream analysis may help people become conscious of what waking life issue or desire of theirs may be causing them to experience anxiety dreams. Once consciously aware of the issues or desires that hassle them, they can plan ways to rid themselves of their anxiety dreams. Anxiety dreams can help you determine what you unconsciously want for yourself. My anx... ... middle of paper ... ...ger brother. Witnessing the death of her brother and mom may have symbolized her wanting to be rid of the responsibilities of having to care for them. Her fleeing from her house in the dream may also have represented her anxiety of desiring to move out. A dream analysis may help people become aware of their unconscious desires and fears. With this awareness, people can decide how they want to deal with their issues, which in turn may help to alleviate their stresses and desires that may be causing their anxiety dreams. Works Cited Freud, Sigmund, and James Strachey. "THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF DREAMS¹." The Interpretation of Dreams. New York: Basic, 2010. 35+. Print. Freud, Sigmund. "The Oedipus Complex." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee Jacobus. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 475-84. Print.

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