Freud Day 1

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines literature as "the body of writings on a particular subject". Freud's analysis of Dora is exactly that, the writings about a subject. The analysis is clear and well organized. It presents a story- Dora's psychoanalysis. I think what also makes it literature is that it can be studied. We can learn a lot from Freud's work. Another definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary is, "writings in prose or verse; especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest ". I see Freud's analysis as literature because it is the story of a woman's internal struggle. Not only can we learn from it but it is an interesting subject. It is first and foremost important literature in the field of psychology. (I am reminded of the novel "Sybil"- the story of a girl


In the introduction to the study, Freud notes that he didn't take notes during their sessions so that he didn't disturb the patient. He would record the conversations immediatly after. This gives rise to a question, when recording something you listened to is it not easy to transfer your own thoughts and biases into it? Do you remember everything that happened objecively and clearly? This raised a flag when I was reading. Also, he didn't speak with the mother. He spoke to the rest of the family. I think that speaking with the mother would have been beneficial because (normally, but not in this case) girls look up to their mothers. Even if they don't look up to them, the mother has a significant impact on her daughters life and actions. If the mother suffered from "housewife's psychosis" wouldn't it have been beneficial to meet with her in person? Freud notes that part of Dora's problem could have been heretitary. If he believed this why didn't he bring the mother in? This seems like a major blind spot.

Freud was far from being pro-women. "According to Freud, penis envy occurs when a girl realizes that she has no penis. Girls hold their mother responsible for their lack of a penis and do not forgive her for their being thus put at a disadvantage," Freud suggested (1933). Many view Freud's work with the Odeipul concept condescending. He wasn't a supporter of the women's emancipation movement and thought that women ""Women oppose change, receive passively, and add nothing of their own."