On Dreams

Freud uses the term “dramatisation” to reference the expression of dream thoughts into condensed narrative. The process is theorized to further obscure repressed memories or desires through a dream narrative to make it more difficult for the dreamer to identify them in real-world terms.

Dream thoughts and dream content combine into a narrative that is called “dream composition.” Freud suggests that dream composition is a way for the mind to make the symbols of dream content intelligible. Freud refers to dream composition as a “façade” that makes the narrative more palatable to the conscious mind.

In “dream displacement,” the dream flows seamlessly among trivial and important content. Dream displacement conceals the wish or desire by making it of equal importance with other manifest content. 

A series of elements in a dream formulates what Freud calls “dream thought.” Psychoanalysis looks at disparate elements of a dream and determines how they combine and contribute to a dream thought.

“Dream-work” is the act of moving from manifest content to latent content. Freud refers to “dream-work” as the act of the analyst who connects the symbols presented in a dream to their underlying meanings.

In the field of dream interpretation, “latent content” refers to the meaning of the various symbols presented in dreams. This underlying meaning is only uncovered through analysis.

“Manifest content” refers to the literal context of dreams and the images presented. For example, a dream about fishing by a pond would have the manifest content of a pond and a fishing rod. This differs from latent content, which emphasizes the meaning of each of these symbols.

In the field of psychology, “psychical” refers to anything that affects or is affected by the mind. Freud suggests that dream-work is imperative for understanding the psychical experience because it allows the individual to connect with the unconscious desires that direct experience.

“Psychoanalysis” is a therapeutic process that examines the conscious and unconscious desires and thoughts of the patient. Freud is considered the founder of psychoanalysis; he employed techniques of talk therapy to delve into the unconscious mind of his patients.