The Interpretation of Dreams

Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
Prof. Dr. SIGMUND FREUD, LL.D.
AUTHORISED TRANSLATION OF THIRD EDITION WITH INTRODUCTION
A. A. BRILL, Ph.B., M.D.
CHIEF OF THE NEUROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE BRONX HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY CLINICAL ASSISTANT IN NEUROLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FORMER ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN IN THE CENTRAL ISLIP STATE HOSPITAL AND IN THE CLINIC OF PSYCHIATRY, ZÜRICH
“ Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo ”
NEW YORK
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1913
In attempting a discussion of the Interpretation of Dreams, I do not believe that I have overstepped the bounds of neuropathological interest. For, on psychological investigation, the dream proves to be the first link in a chain of abnormal psychic structures whose other links, the hysterical phobia, the obsession, and the delusion must, for practical reasons, claim the interest of the physician. The dream (as will appear) can lay no claim to a corresponding practical significance; its theoretical value as a paradigm is, however, all the greater, and one who cannot explain the origin of the dream pictures will strive in vain to understand the phobias, obsessive and delusional ideas, and likewise their therapeutic importance.
But this relation, to which our subject owes its importance, is responsible also for the deficiencies in the work before us. The surfaces of fracture which will be found so frequently in this discussion correspond to so many points of contact at which the problem of the dream formation touches more comprehensive problems of psychopathology, which cannot be discussed here, and which will be subjected to future elaboration if there should be sufficient time and energy, and if further material should be forthcoming.