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In this paper I have taken up for study an incident in the life of the dramatist Girish Babu, which is an example of the phenomenon of conversion. With the help of some of the recent researches of Freud, I have tried to find out whether some insight can be obtained regarding the unconscious activities connected with the phenomenon. Girish Babu was born in the Bengalee year 1250, and may be regarded as the founder of the modern Bengalee stage. He was the eighth child in his family; according to the Hindu traditions the eighth child is regarded as a very fortunate child, likely to exhibit some divine attributes in later life. At the birth of Girish Babu, his mother became seriously ill, and the child was nursed by a low-caste maid-servant of the house. During his childhood he received more chastisement than love from his stern mother. Whenever he went to his mother, with the hope of being fondled by her, she cruelly turned him away. Whenever his mother heard that he had used any ill-word to anybody, she used punishment such as putting cow-dung into his mouth. As a child, Girish Babu was obstinate and self-willed, so often he really required stern treatment during the childhood.
An incident in childhood showed Girish Babu how really loving his mother was behind a stern exterior. When seriously ill, at about nine years of age and lying down apparently senseless with an attack of high fever, he heard his mother imploring his father to take all necessary steps for saving the life of her child. His father surprisingly inquired why was she so anxious when she appeared not to love the child at all. His mother replied in a tearful voice, 'I am a witch. I have already eaten up my first child. Girish is my eighth child. Such a fortunate child is easily injured. Lest he be affected by my look in any way, I do not allow him to come near me. I do not take him in my lap. I do not say to him even a sweet word. Oh, my heart breaks at the remembrance of the cruelty wi