Throughout the history of literature, dreams have become a framework for learned lessons or guiding the protagonist towards making the correct decisions. Especially in the realm of world literature, countries such as Austria and Switzerland have given us a ton of information regarding dream theory. Perhaps two of the most renowned scholars in the form of dreaming were Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Sigmund Freud’s most famous work regarding dreaming was his work, The Interpretation of Dreams. In the text, Freud focuses on recognizing the disparities between the conscious and the unconscious mind, along with connecting those processes to childhood experiences. It was of Freud’s belief that both the unconscious and conscious could appear in dreams
…show more content…
Perhaps the best example of Jungian theology in literature can be found in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. In the story, the character Marlow goes off on a quest to find his ancient self, though as he ventures deeper into the Congo, he travels further into the past. Combining the Jungian principals, Marlow meets Kurtz, and is astonished at how primitive a present day person can be. In the story, Marlow recounts, “But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself and, by heavens I tell you, it had gone mad.” (Heart of Darkness, P. 98) The connection between Conrad’s story and the ideals of Carl Jung is evident by the depiction of the character Kurtz, who is a primitive being, relying on instinctual inhibitions and impulses, much like our perceived descendants did in yesteryear. Another quality example of using dream theory in writing, is in poetry. In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan: A Vision in a Dream,” this British author uses imagery and dream concepts to dream about China and all the land that has to offer. The poem offers a wide variety of both Freudian and Jungian viewpoints, where the verses tell the story of a dream state that’s both highly sexualized and full of historical relevance. Perhaps no passage exemplifies the dream like state more than the
Perhaps the best example of Jungian theology in literature can be found in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. In the story, the character Marlow goes off on a quest to find his ancient self, though as he ventures deeper into the Congo, he travels further into the past. Combining the Jungian principals, Marlow meets Kurtz, and is astonished at how primitive a present day person can be. In the story, Marlow recounts, “But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself and, by heavens I tell you, it had gone mad.” (Heart of Darkness, P. 98) The connection between Conrad’s story and the ideals of Carl Jung is evident by the depiction of the character Kurtz, who is a primitive being, relying on instinctual inhibitions and impulses, much like our perceived descendants did in yesteryear. Another quality example of using dream theory in writing, is in poetry. In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan: A Vision in a Dream,” this British author uses imagery and dream concepts to dream about China and all the land that has to offer. The poem offers a wide variety of both Freudian and Jungian viewpoints, where the verses tell the story of a dream state that’s both highly sexualized and full of historical relevance. Perhaps no passage exemplifies the dream like state more than the