The nightmare attack is found to represent the primal scene as it was experienced by the dreamer who interprets it in an oral-sadistic manner because of his infantile oral frustration. The mother is the central figure, represented by a woman with a phallus. The attack is a talio-punishment and directed against the chest of the dreamer. Thus, arrested breathing and motionlessness characterize his behavior as they did during the primal scene itself.

Subsequent social considerations and illustrations from Hungarian folklore lead to a discussion of witch fantasy, 'a reaction consequent on oral traumata'.