3. That it has at its disposal the earliest impressions of our childhood, and brings to light details from this period of life which again seem trivial to us, and which in waking life were considered long ago forgotten.[1]
These peculiarities in the selection of the dream material have of course been observed by the authors in connection with the manifest dream content.
(a) Recent and Indifferent Impressions in the Dream
If I now consult my own experience concerning the source of the elements which appear in the dream, I must at once express the opinion that some reference to the experiences of the day which has most recently passed is to be found in every dream. Whatever dream I take up, whether my own or another's, this experience is always re-affirmed. Knowing this fact, I can usually begin the work of interpretation by trying to learn the experience of the previous day which has stimulated the dream; for many cases, indeed, this is the quickest way. In the case of the two dreams which I have subjected to close analysis in the preceding chapter (of Irma's injection, and of my uncle with the yellow beard) the reference to the previous day is so obvious that it needs no further elucidation. But in order to show that this reference may be regularly demonstrated, I shall examine a portion of my own dream chronicle. I shall report the dreams only so far as is necessary for the discovery of the dream stimulus in question.
1. I make a visit at a house where I am admitted only with difficulty, &c., and meanwhile I keep a woman waiting for me.
Source.—A conversation in the evening with a female relative to the effect that she would have to wait for some aid which she demanded until, &c.
2. I have written a monograph about a certain (obscure) species of plant.
Source.—I have seen in the show-window of a book store a monograph upon the genus cyclamen.
- ↑ It is clear that the conception of Robert, that the dream is intended to rid our memory of the useless impressions which it has received during the day, is no longer tenable, if indifferent memories of childhood appear in the dream with some degree of frequency. The conclusion would have to be drawn that the dream ordinarily performs very inadequately the duty which is prescribed for it.
