The Hopi Indian six-act dramatic ritual represents for each individual Hopi an external plastic representation of deeply repressed Oedipal memories, especially aggressive ones. The productions of patients in psychoanalysis can be similar to these dramas. An example is cited of a young actor whose phallic fixations included many different male and female, adult and child identifications. These were related to a defense against depression.

Dramatic representation functions on attempts at mastery as well as safe discharge of impulse life. The actor avoids violent emotions by arousing the audience as he disguises his own identity.