Crazy covid dream

[Danmel]

So I just was napping and had a dream that the doorbell rang and Theodore Roosevelt was at the door. I told him I couldn't let him in because I'm in quarantine with Covid-19 (which is true). He said, That's ok, I got shot and kept talking. (Also true). So I let him in and we sat 6 feet apart, masked on the couch in the family room and watched the Price is Right, lol.
Someone please get me the help I clearly need, lol. I must say he looked very good for someone who has been dead for more than 100 years.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I have concluded that there is no limit to oddity in dreams

The brain is like a mad scientist when concocting dreams. We may never know the rationale for coming up with those astonishing scenarios, but it’s a fair assumption that the brain has good reasons for doing it.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Freud posited that our dreams reflect an attempt to work out unconscious issues

which may be troubling us. Hence calling it "dream work."

The OP gives us a classic and very positive attempt to work out his issues about covid.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Great dream.

This is a very positive dream.

(I am a retired psychologist with extensive training in projective assessment tools, including dream interpretation. We study how the human unconscious sends us messages and tells us who were are. )

You and TR both have potentially life threatening illness/injuries. TR tells you despite being shot, he kept going. Despite being shot at close range he persevered.

You engage in a normal entertainment activity, watching TV.

Part of you is frightened, hence the reference in the dream about bullets flying.
The other part of you is confident, will carry on, will go about your normal actives. You will be fine.

Also we see an intelligent, creative, literate dreamer with a sense of humor.

[Marthe48]

5. I like your interptetation

My best friend is a psychologist. We both enjoy sharing dreams and trying to interpret what they mean. I have a book titled Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, which belonged to my Great Aunt. Interesting to look through and see what dreams meant in 1931, compared to now.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Your aunt's book would be a fascinating look into the 1930 psyche.

My training was very different from such cookbooks.

I trained in a very psychodynamic mode and all interpretations were individually based, patient centered. Cookbooks not allowed.

For example a dream cookbook will typically tell you one or two meanings for a snake appearing in a dream. In my training the dream is is the total creation of the dreamer and the meaning of a snake would be unique to that person.

It is the skill of the analyst to determine what the snake meant in each person's dream.

But at any rate, I agree dreams are so much fun to work with. They are my favorite projective tool (Rorschach is the other favorite, also projective drawings.)

I think your Aunt's book would be fascinating. Because it is showing us the unconscious world of 1931. You get a window into the 1930 psyche.

I do however admit there are certain universal human archetypes which hold true across time and even location. Your aunt's book would also be interesting from that standpoint.

I wonder if Theodore Roosevelt is your aunt's dream book? Maybe the Spanish flu is there as well. Probably not the doorbell. I have no idea when doorbells were invented and in wide use.

I am still thinking about the meaning of the door bell in this dream.

Apologies to the OP. Dreams are so tempting.

[Marthe48]

7. I checked the book

It is written by Gustavus Hindman Miller. You might be able to find a copy on Abe Books, or Find a Book.

I'm relieved that you said your interpretation is unique for the person, otherwise, I'd skip replying. My dream cookbook gives a mixed review of the meaning.

No Spanish flu or influenza. No president or Teddy Roosevelt. But:

'Door Bell
To dream you hear or ring a bell, foretells unexpected tidings, or a hasty summons to business, or the bedside of a sick relative.'

IMHO, in a very broad sense, the bell could be a reference to OP's anxiety while they're ill. For whom the bell tolls comes to mind.

I was keeping a dream log for a long time, was pretty good at remembering details. I was sick for about 6 weeks this year, not Covid. I'm dreaming, but on waking, I can't remember them. I wasn't trying to interpret my own dreams, just using the log as an exercise in vocabulary and creative writing. As the OP shows, what is more creative than our dreams?

This post is just what I needed to get myself thinking about something else. Really glad I read it.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Very interesting

Thank you for the citation. I will see if I can find it.

Yes the cookbook interpretations are amusing/interesting but not clinically relevant in any way.

Surprising to me that in the 1930s no reference to Theodore Roosevelt or influenza. Very interesting.

Interesting also about the doorbell interpretation. I think it is too negative and ominous. But yes I thought about the anxiety angle regarding the bell like you did. I am mixed about it since this is not a classic anxiety dream. There is the underlying dark fear piece (someone being shot) but it is well contained and this is a calm pleasant dream overall in terms of tone. And optimistic with very good coping skills displayed.

The gunshot reference could certainly be a reflection of current gun violence fears as well.

In this case the doorbell was a portent for good news from a respected historical visitor.

The visitor gives reassurance, support, companionship, wisdom to someone with an underlying legitimate fear. From a high status visitor.

It is really a lovely dream.

And completely normal given covid and gun violence we are facing.

Yes some people keep an ongoing dream journal like you were doing. Many of us have the same dream over and over, same themes with variations. Those are the dreams to pay attention to!

If you cannot remember your dreams let it go for awhile and come back to it later.

Thanks for your help and discussion!

[Danmel]

8. No need to apologize. I'm fascinated

Does my being a woman change any aspect of your interpretation?

(Danmel is a combination of the first three letters of my kids names)

[Irish_Dem]

10. Yes it does help me, thank you.

If you are female, at least middle age, it does help me with the doorbell piece.

Obviously well read, educated, you know your American history quite well.

I would guess you don't like surprises, and like order and routine. You feel safe.

If this is not the case, then your dream is telling you that you want these things right now?

See my precious post with more comments.

It is a lovely dream with a great deal of ego strength and emotional strength.

Here we all are dealing with tragedies, crises, in a GOP/MAGA world gone mad.

And you are pulling in a beloved president to help you, reassure you, spend time with you. Telling you that you can overcome your illness and other obstacles.

[Donkees]

4. Maybe recent news had you remembering Theodore Roosevelt's focus on the care, well-being,

and protection of the nation's children; thinking about the Square Deal (watching the Price is Right) and remembering his 'Man in the Arena' speech.