Two Dreams and a Childhood Memory of Freud

Material is presented to suggest that the recurrent dream of the yellow lion, and the dream about the explorer Nansen, which Freud used as examples in Chapter V, Section B of The Interpretation of Dreams, are autobiographical. An attempt is made to place these new biographical fragments into the context of Freud's self-analysis. The meanings of the identification with Nansen are examined in the light of Freud's relationship with Fliess, who during that time served as a transference figure for Freud. The increasing ambivalence in this relationship, probably reflected in the dream, is felt to account for the reason why Freud chose to keep his identity as the dreamer concealed. He was then sending every chapter of The Interpretation of Dreams to Fliess for critical review. In the analysis of the Nansen dream Freud recalled an early childhood memory which reveals an unconscious association of traveling (Reisen) with pain (Reissen). It is suggested that this screen memory may represent part of the genetic material

from Freud's analysis of his anxiety about traveling. The possible role of the word "Reissen" and its various meanings in this analysis are discussed. The relationship between Freud's passion for travel and his passion for scientific exploration is considered. It is possible that a relationship also exists between Freud's conflicts about traveling and a few of the problems which he encountered in the course of his scientific work. Freud's disclosure that he worked best in a state of mild discomfort is one of several examples cited where this may apply.