Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious [Paperback]

Sigmund Freud (Author), James Strachey (Author), Peter Gay (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud | Publication Date: September 17, 1990

Freud argues that the "joke-work" is intimately related to the "dream-work" which he had analyzed in detail in his Interpretation of Dreams, and that jokes (like all forms of humor) attest to the fundamental orderliness of the human mind.

While in this book Freud tells some good stories with his customary verve and economy, its point is wholly serious.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About the Author

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is one of the twentieth century's greatest minds and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. His many works include The Ego and the Id; An Outline of Psycho-Analysis; Inhibitions; Symptoms and Anxiety; New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis; Civilization and Its Discontent, and others.

Peter Gay is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the National Book Award winner The Enlightenment, the best-selling Weimar Culture, and the widely translated Freud: A Life for Our Time. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; The Standard Edition edition (September 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393001458
• ISBN-13: 978-0393001457
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To make a Freudian slip on a banana peel, January 11, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (Paperback)

Freud did not see jokes as minor nonsense and insignificance. He saw them as deeper messages delivered to us from our unconscious. He saw them as telling the secrets about ourselves to ourselves and the world that we do not necessarily want to tell. He saw them as acts of aggression and as acts of self- defense. In fact Freud is one of the few theorists of jokes and laughter that the world has had. In my opinion while Freud's understanding of jokes is not exhaustive and all- comprehensive it does illuminate much about a certain kind of humor. And it does teach us something about ourselves which we had not really noticed before Freud taught it to us. Freud himself is of course a source of endless jokes today , but it is not wrong to say that at least some of these jokes should be about his great genius and ability to see and say where others before him did not.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Freud loosens up a little, October 31, 2000

By 

paul cross (Chicago, Il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (Paperback)

The logic of Freud can sometimes be overbearing when he is dealing with the makings of a joke. However, he does at times seem to drop his guard, speak in easy to understand terms, and give information that can be understood. If anyone is pursuing comedy in any form, this book would be helpful, and will help you compare your analyzation of what you do with someone who knew very well how the human mind worked. I've applied several of his concepts on stage and have found them successful.

3.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly but a bit disappointing in the end, January 3, 2012

By 

Ronald van Vollenhoven (Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (Paperback)

A great admirer of Freud recommended this book to me as perhaps the best of his many writings. Thus, my expectations were high and, perhaps because of that, I ended up a bit disappointed.

Freud analyzes the nature of humor, and specifically of jokes. Not surprisingly to those who know his other work, he finds that jokes work by releasing tension in the subconscious.

Freud argues cohesively and pursuasively - if one is prepared to follow his rather lengthy arguments. His examples are often the easier part of the reading and these are interesting and sometimes funny, although truth be told, it was mostly interesting to discover how lame many of the jokes are that in 19th century apparently were considered hilarious.

In the end, I found this reading interesting but not more than that, and did not come away with any particular new insights or ideas. For the afficianado this book is certainly a must. For the more peripherally interested, it would probably not be the first choice.