Chapter 1 (pp. 5-7) Summary and Analysis

On Dreams is published by Sigmund Freud in 1900, only a year after the longer, all encompassing Interpretation of Dreams is published. Freud wishes to give readers a more concise summary of his conclusions regarding dreams. Before Freud's investigations, little is known about dreams. Many do not believe that dreams really mean anything to the dreamer. Freud sets out to prove the opposite.

In Chapter 1 Freud explains that from the very beginning of time, people have had dreams. In more prehistoric times, people believed that dreams were associated with a higher power or gods. Dreams were sent down from these detiies as a way to communicate with the lesser humans. In Freud's time, almost all people believe that dreams happen in the mind of the dreamer. However, because people have begun rejecting the thought that dreams are signs...