The Interpretation of Dreams is a book by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud first published in 1913 . The book introduces Freud's theory of the unconscious with respect to dream interpretation, and also first discusses what would later become the theory of the Oedipus complex. Freud revised the book at least eight times and, in the third edition, added an extensive section which treated dream symbolism very literally, following the influence of Wilhelm Stekel.Freud said of this work, "Insight such as this falls to one's lot but once in a lifetime." Sigmund Freud born Sigismund Schlomo Freud (6 May 1856 - 23 September 1939) was an Austrian neurologist who became known as the founding father of psychoanalysis. Freud believed that the function of dreams is to preserve sleep by representing as fulfilled wishes that would otherwise awaken the dreamer.