A Curious Dream Mark Twain
Mark Twain is best remembered for his classic works in literature, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But many are unaware of the peculiar dream Twain had on July 29th, 1871, the day before he wed his beloved Olivia Langdon.
Twain was both excited and anxious in the hours before to his wedding, and that night, he experienced a unique dream. His dream was filled with vivid images, and as Twain himself describes it, “There was to be a marriage and I was the hero of the occasion—without a doubt. The clergyman was present and said the ceremony, but how he looked I do not remember.”
According to several sources, Twain had come to the altar filled with anxiety. Suddenly, he realized that he had misplaced his wedding ring. Frantically, he searched for the ring in a vain effort to find it.
Twain recalled that he was “talking to the guests, hunting for the ring, making lame and fruitless excuses, and growing steadily more and more embarrassed and distressed.” With the fear of embarrassment looming over him, he awoke with a start.
The dream made such an impression on Twain that he later wrote about it in his autobiography. The episode seemed to be so significant that it prompted him to expand on his experience, noting, “I have dreamed very much but never have I had a dream before in which the events so exactly copied and nothing was exaggerated.”
Online sources, such as the Mark Twain Museum and the Mark Twain Project, speculate that the dream was symbolic of Twain’s ambivalence about marriage and his fear of commitment. Indeed, Twain’s family and friends had expressed concern about his ability to make a faithful commitment, as he had told his future bride “I have always been afraid of disease!”
In addition to symbolism, psychologists have suggested that Twain’s dream was a manifestation of repressed concerns. By writing about it, Twain was able to give himself some form of temporary relief, even though his anxiety and fear of commitment were likely never fully resolved.
The dream also serves as a reminder of Twain’s passion, tenacity, and resilience. His life was filled with untold successes and failures, and yet, Twain retained a sense of optimism despite the challenges he faced.
A Closer Exploration Of The Dream Events
Twain’s dream is deeply mysterious, as it isn’t common for everyday dreamers to remember the details of their dream. Studies have found that recalled dreams are more often than not, rooted in meaningful personal events or a fusion of everyday experiences.
The dream in itself, however, is more mysterious. Twain said that his dream seemed to repeat the events of the evening before, but it was highly improbable that the specific details of the dream would have accurately happened the next day.
Studies suggest that dreams depict internal processes and fears, in this case, Twain’s own emotions of anxiety and uncertainty about his future of marriage.
Perhaps the dream was to serve as a reminder for Twain to relax and know that all would be okay. He admits himself that he felt ‘steadily more and more embarrassed and distressed’. The dream was a way for him to eliminate that feeling before it became an issue the day of his marriage.
By exploring the dream further, it’s also possible that Twain’s dream was highlighting his inner conflict as someone who had varied perspectives on marriage. Twain had initially been engaged six months prior but had broken off the engagement shortly after, due to his own personal doubts on the matter.
The dream could be interpreted in a very literal way as well. For example, the ring symbolizing his commitment to the marriage, and his uncertainty about committing to Olivia. Ultimately, the dream probably represents Twain struggling with both his commitment and fear to his soon-to-be wife.
A Wider Exploration Of The Psychological Aspects
When it comes to interpreting dreams, it’s helpful to consider the psychological aspects at play. Dreams can often be rooted in something meaningful in our waking lives, such as a past experience or an unresolved issue.
Most scholars believe that Twain’s dream was significant because it symbolically represented his true feelings towards marriage. Though Twain was excited to marry Olivia, it’s possible that he also was fearful of commitment and fearful of the unknown. The dream is a way for Twain to explore his innermost thoughts about his future with her.
Apart from personal stresses, dreams are also impacted by larger cultural influences. In this case, Twain felt the need to uphold the patriarchal norms of marriage and acted in accordance to them. He felt the need to prove to the public that he was ready for this commitment and that he was not afraid of commitment.
Twain’s dream was a way to accept those cultural norms and rationalize his anxiety. He searched for the ring, and though it was never found, his dream served as a way to face his emotions and give him relief before the big day.
The dream also shows Twain’s resilience and passion for life. Twain was no stranger to failure and his dream was a reminder of his determination and power to always keep going. His life was full of highs and lows, yet he never lost that sense of hope and optimism.
An Exploration Of The Dream Theme
Dreams can often be understood alongside a wider dream theme. The dream theme in this case likely focuses on commitment and ambivalence towards marriage.
The ring was obviously of symbolic importance in the dream and it’s natural to interpret it to represent Twain’s level of commitment – or lack thereof – to Olivia. The ring serves as a reminder of the promise of loyalty to his future wife and a symbol of his love for Olivia.
The dream exposes Twain’s inner ambivalence as he seemed to be simultaneously drawn to and afraid of marriage. Twain might have subconsciously felt like he was too young and immature or not ready to commit to a marriage and he felt the necessity to express this side of him.
It’s also likely that Twain’s dream theme involved commitment, apprehensiveness, and anxiety as he struggled to accept and express his innermost thoughts and emotions. Twain’s culture, in addition to his inner doubts, all might have played a role in his dream.
Modern Interpretation Of Mark Twain’s Dream
Twain’s dream is still relevant today. This experience forces us to confront some of the same emotions that Twain exemplified in his dream. We all have moments of apprehension and a fear of commitment, yet we are all desperately searching for something meaningful and true.
The dream is defined by an exploration of one’s innermost terrors and hopes, making it profoundly human. The dream is a reminder of the tension and anxiety we all face in our lives, and how we are capable of overcoming them and making the best of our situations.
Twain’s dream also highlights the power of our own resilience. Education scholar George Thomas suggests that the dream showed Twain’s ability to go forward despite his fears of commitment and his own inner turmoil. Twain was able to keep going despite his own doubts and fears and eventually, he was able to acquire the courage and strength to make a lasting commitment.
The dream is a reminder of the power of self-reflection and the courage of facing our innermost fears. In the dream, Twain faced his own doubts and pushed himself to move forward and commit himself to the idea of marriage. This courage and resilience serves as an example to us all to not give up and to keep pushing forward.
Conclusion Of The Affect Of The Dream On Twain
Twain’s dream was a reminder of his strength and resilience as well as his ability to confront his own inner demons and come out on top in the end. Ultimately, Twain’s dream was a way for him to find solace in his own inner emotions, and a way for him to connect with himself in a meaningful way.
From the dream, we can see how Twain was able to confront his fear of commitment and his own inner doubts, and it serves as a model of resilience and strength. In this way, Twain’s dream is a reminder of how we can overcome our own inner doubts and strive to work past our own inner struggles.
