On Dreams

Which of Freud’s theories are discredited? Is his work still important? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Why do you think Freud chose to excerpt and abridge this portion of his larger work, The Interpretation of Dreams?

Freud draws a connection between mental illness and desire. What is this connection? Is this connection still viable? Why or why not?

How is Freud influenced by earlier philosophers and thinkers? How does his approach to interpreting dreams resemble earlier dream analysis techniques?

How do the dreams of children differ from the dreams of adults? Why? What does Freud suggest are the fundamental psychological differences between children and adults?

In what ways has Freud influenced popular culture? How has his work shifted popular opinions about psychology and mental illness?

Use Freud’s work to apply a psychological lens to a creative work, especially those featuring dreams. How do Freud’s theories influence your understanding of the work?

Develop an argument for or against Freud’s assertion that dreams represent desires, often erotic, that have been repressed. Support your argument with evidence from the text, as well as your own research.