The Concept of Censorship in Dreams within Psychoanalytic Theory: A Review Based on Atatürk’s Dream

Freud's concept of a 'censoring agency' in the mind determines whether desires enter consciousness, excluding those that could cause discomfort. During sleep, this censor becomes less rigid, allowing repressed material to evade it through dreamwork mechanisms like displacement, condensation, and symbolism, achieving limited satisfaction. This theory extends beyond individual therapy to analyze historical figures. The review evaluates censorship in Freud's dream theory by analyzing a dream of Atatürk, who had a fatal illness and underwent paracentesis before sharing a dream with his aide-de-camp. The assessment considers the theory's explanatory power and criticisms.

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Abstract

According to Freud, the human mind is characterised by a dynamic component, which he refers to as the “censoring agency”. This concept is also perceived by some to symbolise a certain authority. This agency is responsible for determining whether an emerging desire is suitable for entry into consciousness. It excludes anything that could potentially cause discomfort if the desire were to be realised or stimulated. In Freud’s view, the censor never entirely ceases to function during sleep; rather, it becomes less rigid and less effective. Consequently, certain distressing elements of repressed material are able to evade the still-active, though relaxed, censor through the utilisation of various mechanisms within dreamwork, such as displacement, condensation, and symbolism. This enables them to achieve a limited alternative form of satisfaction. Freud’s dream theory is not limited to individual therapy; it can also help analyze major figures like Atatürk. Atatürk’s fatal illness emerged in 1937, and he was diagnosed with liver disease in January 1938. As his condition worsened, he was moved to Dolmabahçe Palace. With the illness progressing, fluid had to be drained from his abdomen. Fearing intestinal perforation, Atatürk dictated his will on September 6. Paracentesis was performed on September 7 and repeated on September 22. A few days later, Atatürk had a dream, which he shared with his aide-de-camp Salih Bozok. In this review article, the concept of censorship in Freud’s dream theory is evaluated through the analysis of a historical dream of Atatürk, both in terms of the explanatory power of the theory and the criticisms directed at it