Freud’s 4 pm Session: ‘The Dora Case – A Reappraisal’

The Dora Case – A Reappraisal

In the late 1890s Dora was a teenager who was being sexually harassed by Herr K., who was the husband of a woman who was having an affair with Dora’s father. Dora’s father sent Dora to Freud so as to convince her to become more accepting of the situation. Freud suggested to Dora that she might be unconsciously in love with Herr K. The Dora case study is thus often used as a criticism of Freud. However, to his credit, and contrary to denials by Dora’s father, Freud believed that Dora was indeed being harassed. He also analysed two dreams that Dora had, which poignantly depicted Dora’s troubled family circumstances. In this event the detailed case history that Freud wrote about Dora’s life, including her two dreams, and her free associations to the two dreams, will be discussed. This will not only show Dora’s strength and resilience, but also Freud’s astute perceptions of Dora’s situation.

Mark Blagrove is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Sleep Laboratory at Swansea University.

The event will be held on the first floor of the Museum during regular opening hours. Unfortunately the Freud Museum does not have step-free access at this time.