2.3.2 Sigmund Freud’s Interpretation of Dream
Sigmund Freud was the father of psychology. He was born in the Austro- Hungarian Empire in 1856. Freud began his education in 1873 at the University of
Vienna. He went to medical school and spent much time studying physiology and neurology. He first developed the theory about the role of the unconsciousness on
the individual. In Psychoanalytic Criticism: A Reappraisal by Elizabeth Wright. Freud believed the dream worked on two levels;
“A straightforward level showed events in dreams as remembered. However in latent level objects and actions in the dreams symbolize sexual
and aggressive feelings and ideas that are repressed. So in dreams it protects the sleeper from the effects of realization of these wishes. The dream taps into
the desire for wish fulfillment when the controlling ego is relaxed during sleep”. 1998:63-64
2.3.3 Sigmund Freud’s Division of Mind
Terry Eagleton in his book Literary Theory: An Introduction said that “the most important contribution of Freud is his division of the human psyche in three
different parts: Id, Ego and Superego” 1983:32.
Id is unconscious mechanism that works on two energy sources. The first is Eros, the sexual life energy and the second is Tanatos, the anger or death energy.
The Ego tries to keep these two energies in balance. This is why people general function well in society. On the other hand, when ego does not work correctly,
human behavior is controlled by Id. This happens when people are asleep. This is why dreams are an important information source. In dreams, the unconscious
needs of a person become visible. Fortunately, Ego is sufficiently strong to suppress this unconscious urges. Eagleton, 1983:35
Eagleton also gives the explanation of the Superego, that is, “The mental image that people have is their ideal self. Superego contains
the norms and values that are passed to a person by people in hisher environment. Thus, Superego is the opponent of Id. Ego guides behavior in
such a direction, that both the desire of Superego and Id are satisfied”. 1983:35
2.3.4 Dream Categories
Kategori