Nandor Fodor (1895-1964) was a prominent parapsychologist of the 20th century. He theorized that poltergeists were the external manifestation of internal conflicts in the subconscious. Fodor’s theories draw heavily from Sigmund Freud, for whom he was once an associate. “Nightmares of Falling” departs from Freud’s theory in The Interpretation of Dreams, suggesting that rather than a symbol of erotic temptation, dreams of falling represent the fear of death, which initiates in birth. Some of Fodor’s other works, such as “Motives of Chronic Constipation,” take a similar approach of linking past memories and the subconscious to the moment of birth, leaning more into Freud’s style of analysis which emphasizes sexual interpretations.
Pamphlet “Nightmares of Falling,” Nandor Fodor LL. D., reprinted from SAMIKSA, Vol. 3, No. 1, Envelope “Fodor,” Box 25, Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation Collection, Collection 331, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD).