Past Event

Imprisoned Dreams: The Impact of Location on Prisoners’ Dreams in Relief After Hardship by Tanūkhī (d. 384/994)

Introductions in dream manuals often highlight the unique nature of dream experiences, where several factors play a role in interpreting dreams, such as the dreamer’s state of mind, the expertise of the interpreter, the timing of the dream, and its narrative style. Surprisingly, there is no mention of how the dreamers’ surroundings can influence their dreams. This research paper aims to address this gap by studying the impact of prison on the dreams of inmates, focusing on the Tanūkhī’s book Relief After Hardship. It is intriguing to observe that prisoners’ dreams often contain references to the story of Prophet Joseph, who himself spent time in prison and became renowned for his dream interpretation skills, leading to his eventual release. This raises thought-provoking questions about how the physical and abstract aspects of a location can shape dreams, and whether dreams themselves are “imprisoned” by the cultural associations tied to the location.

About the Lecturer

Lina Jammal holds a PhD in Arabic Language and Literature from The American University of Beirut (2020). Her research interests encompass the comprehensive examination of dreams within historical, literary, and religious contexts. Additionally, she seeks to shed new light on Abbasid Literature by reevaluating it from fresh perspectives and establishing connections with visual culture.