New York Times
The Opinionator
April 26, 2010
Will Shakespeare told us, in that line always misquoted with the word “of” — even by Bogey in “The Maltese Falcon” — that “we are such stuff as dreams are made on.” If they’re in fact what we’re made on, it’s a mixed blessing.
We know that much of Freud’s work has been repudiated and disparaged by the psychiatric world. Particularly his dream symbolism. But I’ve seen dream analysis work. When “in treatment” — that lovely euphemism for getting your head shrunk — with the brilliant Dr. Willard Gaylin, I would come in with a mish-mash of a dream and, feature by crazy feature, he would elucidate it. It was — and can we now retire this word for at least a decade, young people? — awesome.
Some people claim they never dream. There are times when I wish I were one of them.
I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who hasn’t had the exam dream.
There are two types of dream that rate, for me at least, the word “nightmare.” The buggers are: The Actor’s Dream and The Exam Dream. If you’ve never endured either of these, count yourself lucky. Maybe I’m getting your share. (More)
As I write this, there are 377 commends to this piece by Cavett. A number of them are people’s descriptions of there own repetitive dreams. Amazing number of responses. Keep on dreaming and writing, Dick.
Comments