The Interpretation of Dreams: The Psychology Classic
Sigmund Freud with an Introduction by Sarah Tomley
Tom Butler-Bowdon, Series Editor
Capstone/A Wiley Brand (May 2020)
How to undertake “a high-risk adventure of self-revelation” to understand dreams
Over the last 25-30 years, I have probably read most of the material in this book but have never read it cover-to-cover and do not intend to. For mw, its greatest value is as a primary source among several that have helped me and countless others to gain at least some understanding of what we remember from at least a few of our dreams.
With regard to any tentative conclusions we may draw, caution and (yes) humility seem to be appropriate. According to Sigmund Freud, “It is…never possible to be sure that a dream has been completely interpreted. Even if the solution seems satisfactory and without gaps, the possibility also remains that the dream may have yet another meaning.”
In her informative Introduction, Sarah Tomley observes, “The publication of The Interpretation of Dreams in 1899 marked the birth of psychoanalysis, which was to have a vast impact on the culture of the twentieth century.”
These seem to be among the most important points for a layman to consider:
o The mind is what the brain does.
o The subconscious mind consists of everything a person experiences by one or more of the senses. Think of it as a vast warehouse with almost unlimited space.
o Dreams develop within the subconscious mind.
o Dreams tend to reflect what has been recently experienced or considered.
o The unconscious mind seldom intrudes on the rational, conscious mind.
o The subconscious mind functions with few (if any) rational limits.
NOTE: That is why it is possible to recall a portion of a dream during which Winston Churchill, Daffy Duck, and your grandmother are singing Christmas carols at a table in McDonalds.
o Freud claims that the mind is a “system in constant motion,” with “information and energy flowing or being blocked through defensive or regressive actions.”
According to Tomley, “Freud recognized that although human intelligence outstrips that of other animals, we are fundamentally unhappy, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. This is due to two factors. First, we have the ability to time-travel in our minds, so we can re-experience the past and pre-experience the future…Second, humans have a level of meta-intelligence that most other mammals lack. In other words, we are aware of our thoughts and impulses.”
Tomley also provides brief but substantial discussion of several other key topics such as the Id/Ego/Super Ego checks & balances, techniques for hiding from ourselves (i.e. blocking or denying self-revelation), Freudian Slips and the power of dreams, dreams as the “royal road to the subconscious,” dreams as wish fulfillment, elements of dreamwork, and deciphering your dreams.
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I recommend that you read what other customer reviews have to say (thank you for reading mine) and check out Sarah Tomley’s superb Introduction. (Amazon offers direct access to it on the book’s home page.) Then decide whether or not you wish to add this Capstone Classic to your resources. I also hope you check out other volumes in the series.
The cost of each may seem too good to be true. The cost of this psychology classic — if purchased from Amazon US — is only $11.99. That’s not a bargain; that’s a steal.