An Analysis of Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams

ISBN-13: 9781912127436 / Angielski

William Jenkins

Opis

There is arguably no more famous book about the arts of interpretation and analysis than Sigmund Freud's 1899 Interpretation of Dreams. Though the original edition of just 600 copies took eight years to sell out, it eventually became a classic text that helped cement Freud's reputation as one of the most significant intellectual figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. In critical thinking, just as in Freud's psychoanalytical theories, interpretation is all about understanding the meaning of evidence, and tracing the significance of things. Analysis can then be brought in to tease out the implicit reasons and assumptions that lie underneath the interpreted evidence. Interpretation of Dreams is a masterclass in building telling analyses from ingenious interpretation of evidence. Freud worked from the assumption that all dreams were significant attempts by the unconscious to resolve conflicts. As a result, he argued, they contain in altered and disguised forms clues to our deepest unconscious urges and desires. Each must be taken on its own terms to tease out what they really mean. Though Freud's theories have often been criticized, he remains the undisputed master of interpretation - with his critics suggesting that he was, if anything, too ingenious for his own good.

Spis treści

Ways in to the Text  Who was Sigmund Freud?  What does The Interpretation of Dreams Say?  Why does The Interpretation of Dreams Matter?  Section 1: Influences  Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context  Module 2: Academic Context  Module 3: The Problem  Module 4: The Author's Contribution  Section 2: Ideas  Module 5: Main Ideas  Module 6: Secondary Ideas  Module 7: Achievement  Module 8: Place in the Author's Work  Section 3: Impact  Module 9: The First Responses  Module 10: The Evolving Debate  Module 11: Impact and Influence Today  Module 12: Where Next?  Glossary of Terms  People Mentioned in the Text  Works Cited

O autorze

Dr Bill Jenkins holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan. He is currently co-chair of the Department of Psychology at Mercer University.