Delving into the realms of imagination: Visual depictions of dreams
In a captivating interview on "To The Best Of Our Knowledge," renowned New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast delves into the curious and humorous world of dreams, as presented in her book "I Must Be Dreaming."
Chast, who enjoys the idea of connections beyond our understanding, finds dreams particularly appealing. She treats her dreams as a "laugh-out-loud-funny" tour through the absurdities, fears, and mysteries that surface in her sleeping mind.
Dreams, according to Chast, are not always structured like traditional narratives. Instead, they connect unrelated images and ideas in the subconscious, a concept often referred to as dream logic. This dream logic is what makes dreams so intriguing for Chast, who finds it possible to share them in a way that they become a little bit of a story.
Her dreams often involve unconventional scenarios such as flying or riding a subway car full of humanoid chickens. One dream, in particular, left her waking up laughing, as she was told by an interior designer that "cushions are the juice of the house," a statement that, although nonsensical, almost makes sense.
Chast does not believe that dreams are necessarily predictive but finds them insightful. She believes dreams provide insight into one's own consciousness, delving into the personal unconscious (Freudian perspective). This aligns with the thoughts of Carl Jung, who posited that dreams connect people at a deeper level.
In her book, readers are invited to explore Chast's personal dream world through her distinctive cartoon drawings. The dreams in her world can be funny, confusing, surprising, disturbing, and necessary to process thoughts. They can also be rooted in stress and worry over daily life.
Chast finds the illogical connections in dreams intriguing and enjoys sharing them in conscious life. Her unique approach to dream interpretation contrasts with formal dream theory by emphasizing the playful and often contradictory qualities of dreams instead of searching for definitive psychological codes.
Thus, Roz Chast's interpretation of dreams is less about unlocking hidden meanings and more about embracing the strange, funny, and often bewildering experience of dreaming itself, expressed through her unique cartoon voice.
In the realm of Roz Chast's personal interests, her book ventures into the realms of lifestyle and books, as it delves into the curious world of dreams. As she humorously experimented with her fashion-and-beauty, incorporating humanoid chickens into her dream scenarios, her work provides a glimpse into the entertainment industry, as she illustrates and shares her intriguing sleep adventures.
