Staircases, Steps and Ladders
Abundant reference to symbols and symbolism pervades this text, but not in the usual way that a symbol is utilized. Typically, symbols are not pointed as symbols, but exist independently for their metaphorical use. Since this is a non-fiction text in which Freud is discussing the symbolic meaning of dream imagery, the plethora of reference to symbols is applied differently. For instance, rather staircases, steps and ladders being suggestive as symbolic representation, Freud flatly states their proposed hidden meaning:
“Staircases, ladders, and flights of stairs, or climbing on these, either upwards or down- wards, are symbolic representations of the sexual act.”
Cravat
The argument here is that a cravat—which is a kind fancy necktie—is a symbol for the penis. In an age in which hardly man wears a cravat, this may seems highly unlikely and engender the question: why? Fortunately, an answer is provided: “cravats hang down long, and are characteristic of the man, but also because one can select them at pleasure.”
Royal Family Members
Interestingly, the argument made here is that as dream symbols, a King and Queen are not figures which the dreamer actually identifies, but instead are symbolic incarnations of parents. By the same token, a dream image of the son or daughter of royalty—the prince or princess—becomes the representative figure of the dreamer. Although not specifically stated, it can be taken as understood that in his day, most psychoanalysts would have limited such representation by gender: a boy would dreaming of a princess would not likely be analyzed in terms of wish-fulfillment.
Contextuality
On the other hand, it is made quite clear on numerous occasions that in most cases the symbolism contained within dreams can only be interpreted when placed in context. Rare is the symbol that always means the same thing to everybody under every circumstances. A good example is an analysis of a dream in which the analytic conclusion defines the act of being run over is implicated as being symbolic of making love. This conclusion is stated with a caveat, however:
“That `being run over’ symbolizes sexual intercourse would not be evident from this dream if we were not sure of it from many other sources.”
Nighttime Figures of Fear
The symbolic identification of common figures that appear in dreams related to the fear of the dark and the night have been identified, as one might expect, with parental and guardian figures. Among the most common of these figures are ghosts and less spectral, but no less fearsome characters like burglars and thieves. The symbolism here is interestingly divided down a strict gender line despite literal tracing back to early childhood memories of both father and mother appearing in the dark not as malevolent shapes, but to benevolent. Because the mother would be more likely wearing a whitish nightgown, she takes on the symbolic aspect of the ghost while the father, dressed perhaps in a more menacing state at night, fulfills the symbolic role of the unwelcome house guest doing harm in the middle of the night.
