R. Gray

German 390/Comp Lit 396/Engl 363/CHID 498/Euro490

Freud and the Literary Imagination

Short Writing Assignment 1

(Due 10/1 for Discussion Section)

Despite—or perhaps because of—the profound influence Freud and his ideas have had on both intellectual and popular culture, general conceptions about Freudian theory and the practice of psychoanalysis often fall into stereotypes (the sex-crazed Viennese doctor!) or exaggerations (every elongated object is a "phallic" symbol!). As a way of marking the departure point (so to speak) of our quarter-long intellectual journey, briefly (150-200 words) record and examine your own inherited impressions about Freud and the "science" of psychoanalysis.