[DY]. A reference to a childhood experience is after complete analysis shown to exist by the following intermediaries: “The Moor has done his duty, the Moor may go.” And then follows the waggish question: “How old is the Moor when he has done his duty? One year. Then he may go.” (It is said that I came into the world with so much black curly hair that my young mother declared me to be a Moor.) The circumstance that I do not find my hat is an experience of the day which has been turned to account with various significations. Our servant, who is a genius at stowing away things, had hidden the hat. A suppression of sad thoughts about death is also concealed behind the conclusion of the dream: “I have not nearly done my duty yet; I may not go yet.” Birth and death, as in the dream that occurred shortly before about Goethe and the paralytic (p. 345).
[DZ]. Cf. Der Witz und seine Beziehung zum Unbewussten, 2nd edit. 1912, and “word-bridges,” in the solutions of neurotic symptoms.
[EA]. In general it is doubtful in the interpretation of every element of the dream whether it—
(a) is to be regarded as having a negative or a positive sense (relation of opposition);
(b) is to be interpreted historically (as a reminiscence);
(c) is symbolic; or whether
(d) its valuation is to be based upon the sound of its verbal expression.
In spite of this manifold signification, it may be said that the representation of the dream activity does not impose upon the translator any greater difficulties than the ancient writers of hieroglyphics imposed upon their readers.
[EB]. For the interpretation of this preliminary dream, which is to be regarded as “casual,” see p. 292.
[EC]. Her career.