Sunday, November 18, 2001		Dream theme

Dreaming of examinations
Vinaya Katoch Manhas

EXAMINATION is more or less a new symbol in dreams, thus it is rarely referred to in ancient texts. These days the occurrence of this dream has become more frequent due to increasing competitiveness in every sphere of life and the insecurity that comes along with this. Although more common among the youth, this dream also occurs in middle-aged people.

In the Swapna Kamlakar it is referred to as studying for exams. Should the dreamer see that he has fared well in exams, it foretells the successful completion of a job or a task.

Should a person see himself going to school to take exams, it means he shall gain importance. Should the person want to study for forthcoming exams but is unable to find his books, or has lost them, then it foretells disgrace and loss of self-respect.

Western thought does not attach much significance to this symbol. But examination as a symbol in dreams gains significance from the psychological point of view, especially in today's world.

Psychoanalytically speaking, such dreams are usually connected with self-evaluation and the need for achievement. We may be allowing other people to determine our standards of morality and success. Whereas a test that ascertains our skills, would suggest a test of confidence and ability, writing tests signify a test of knowledge. It symbolises our habit of self-assessment and our habitual concern over our accomplishments. Thus all exams constitute a form of judgment. The examiner is a part of us that judges another part.

Dreaming of exams is, therefore, valuable for these dreams tell us how we perceive ourselves. To see oneself pass an exam portrays either wish fulfillment on the dreamer's part or self-confidence. On the contrary to see oneself as a failure portrays one’s fear and lack of confidence in one’s abilities. It also portrays some degree of inferiority complex within the individual. Many students tend to see their results in their dreams before the results are out. This portrays their anxiety, their wish fulfillment or self-confidence, or the lack of it and a pessimistic attitude, as the case may be.

An administrative, Class I officer would often dream that he was going to appear for his tenth class board exams but was never able to reach the venue or if he reached it, he was not able to solve the question paper. The is clearly an indication that the dreamer is anxious about his ability to deal with the day-to-day requirements of his job. It could also symbolise his unhappiness at having selected the profession he is in and hence his wish that if he had failed the exams that he would not have entered the profession.