By JASON TYNE

Mother: A housewife with no understanding for her children's…interests

Father: A large man in his late forties…in very comfortable circumstances

Herr K. and Frau K.: Friends of Dora's Family that had moved to Vienna

Freud: Writer of a case history…of a hysterical girl, called here 'Dora'

SCENE I: PREFETORY REMARKS:

FREUD:

In 1895 and 1896 I put forward certain views upon the pathogenesis of hysterical symptoms and upon the mental processes occurring in hysteria. Since that time several years have passed. No one believes me, so to substantiate my claims I will be giving a detailed report of a girl I currently have in treatment. Before you judge these events, I’d like to say a few words. Some people object to the steps I am taking, and perhaps your own views have already been colored. (Lights change as DORA enters.) You must understand that it would have been impossible to have other specialists testing and checking my patient, and because of that people claim that my results are unsubstantiated. (DORA notices FREUD talking.) Don’t think that this was done in haste and without any small amount of awkwardness. (DORA coughs.) I will not be condemned for attempting to educate the world on hysteria, even if it means publicizing this small girl! (DORA's coughing increases.) When my first report came out you accused me of not giving any specific information about my patients, now you say that I am exploiting this girl by using her as evidence! (DORA goes into a full out coughing fit.) I can see now that I must go onward with my work and not expect you to ever approve of my approach! (DORA falls to the floor, coughing until she no longer has the strength until her coughing is a feeble wheeze that continues through this next section.) I am aware that many of you will not view this case study as a contribution to the psychopathology of neuroses. You will view it as merely one man’s obsession with a small girl. I assure you all that if I have an obsession it is with the girl’s illness and not the girl herself. This case study is about my love of illness not my love for this girl! (FREUD goes over to DORA.) Now in this case history—just to warn you in advance—I will discuss sexual questions with all possible frankness. I will call the organs and functions of sexual life by their proper names. Everyone present must understand that I cannot avoid these issues even in the presence of a young woman. (FREUD cradles DORA in his arms.) No that I gain no perverse pleasure from this…None! (DORA rests herself against FREUD, still coughing feebly.) It is part of my job to discuss sexual matters with young girls, and I would be remiss in my duties if I did not! I add that anyone present that sees such conversations as a means of exciting or of gratifying sexual desires must have a sexual disorder of his or her own. (FREUD picks DORA up.) For any of these sexual perverts present, I feel inclined to express my opinion on this subject in a few borrowed words.

VOICE:

It is deplorable to have to make room for protestations and declarations of this sort in a scientific work; but no one reproach me on this account. Rather let them accuse the spirit of the age, owing to which we have reached a happy state of things in which no serious book can any longer be sure of it existence.

SCENE II: THE CLINICAL PICTURE:

FREUD:

I am curious as to a piece of writing that your father has brought me. This is a letter that you wrote saying "I must take my leave; I can no longer endure my life"

DORA:

How did they find the letter? It was shut up in my desk.

FREUD:

You parents gave it to me.

DORA:

Of course…they must have.

FREUD:

Are you upset that I read it?

DORA:

No.

FREUD:

Perhaps you arranged to leave it out where they could find it?

DORA:

Why would I do that?

FREUD:

You wanted me to have it.

FATHER:

I guess that the girl has no serious suicidal intentions, but I am none the less very much shaken.

FREUD:

I have seen these kinds of attacks in other young girls and believe that she may not remember it when she wakes up. I have determined that she should come to me for treatment. Through therapy, I will get to know her intimately. I will search her inner areas and feel out what secrets lie beneath.

FATHER:

I should tell you that while my family and I were on holiday, we had formed an intimate friendship with a married couple who had been settled there for several years. Frau K. had nursed me during my long illness, and Herr K. had in that way earned a title to his undying gratitude. Herr K. had taken a fondness to Dora. He even gave her that necklace as …

FREUD:

Do not tell me any more! These secrets that the young girl holds so dear must come from her own mouth. I will not let her spit in protest; I will make her swallow the truth. Please allow me to be with Dora alone.

FATHER:

Of course

FATHER kisses DORA on the forehead and exits. FREUD kisses DORA on the forehead then goes into his pocket for smelling salts and holds them under DORA's nose. She wakes with a start.

DORA:

What happened?

FREUD:

You don't remember?

DORA:

No

FREUD:

Where did you get that necklace?

DORA:

From Herr K

FREUD:

Who is Herr K.?

DORA:

A friend of my father's

FREUD:

Tell me of him.

DORA:

Herr K. had always been most kind to me. He had gone on walks with me when he was there and given me small presents.

FREUD:

What harm is there in that?

DORA:

Who thought that this was harmful?

FREUD:

Everyone

DORA:

No one thought there was any harm of that.

FREUD:

Do you think there was any harm in it?

DORA:

No. It was a gift. I had taken care of the K's two little children, and been almost a mother to them.

FATHER:

After I drop you off for your appointment with Doctor Freud, I will be going to one of our lakes in the Alps. I will return after a few days.

DORA:

Will you being seeing Herr K.? (FATHER finishes packing and closes the suitcase.) I'm going with you.

HERR K:

Can I take you on a walk upon the lake?

DORA:

Excuse me?

HERR K:

I would like to take you to the lake so I may kiss you.

DORA:

Mother! (Enter MOTHER.) Please tell my father that Herr K. just had the audacity to make me a proposal about going to the lake.

MOTHER:

Is this true?

HERR K:

On no terms have I ever made any advances that could have been open to such a construction.

FRAU K:

That girl takes no interest in anything but sexual matters, and she used to read Physiology of Love and books of that sort in our house on the lake.

FATHER:

It is most likely that she had been over-excited by such reading and had merely "fancied" the whole scene.

DORA:

I can describe the whole thing! We went down to the lake and asked me if by any chance I had ever had a love affair with a man. I of course answered "NO!" and I was astonished that he would ask me such a question.

MOTHER:

I'm sure this is only fancy.

DORA:

Only fancy! The old stupid asked me if I was in love!

FATHER:

I think it's time to return to Doctor Freud for treatment.

FREUD:

Have you by any chance had a love affair with a man?

DORA:

No!

FREUD:

Have you ever wanted to?

DORA:

No

FREUD:

Do you masturbate?

DORA:

No

FREUD:

Have you ever masturbated?

DORA:

Yes

FREUD:

Tell me about masturbating.

DORA:

I don’t masturbate anymore.

FREUD:

Why not? You should. You should masturbate.

DORA:

I was tormented by the most acute sense of guilt.

FREUD:

Did stopping masturbating make you feel less guilty?

DORA:

No

FREUD:

So you still feel guilty even though you don’t masturbate.

DORA:

Yes

FREUD:

Then why don’t you masturbate?

DORA:

It makes me want to vomit.

FREUD:

Why?

DORA:

When I masturbate there is a considerable amount of…

FREUD:

There is a lot of Leucorrhoea discharge.

DORA:

If that's what you call it.

FREUD:

That what you call it when you’re too wet too handle.

DORA:

Besides I'm a child.

FREUD:

You’re not a child.

DORA:

That's what they call me. I used to be a suck-a-thumbs. I have a very clear picture of a scene from my early childhood in which I am sitting on the floor in a corner sucking my left thumb. At the same time I am tugging with my right hand at the love of my brother's ear. He has since grown up, but I am still that same child.

FREUD:

My "child", you have grown up and are very ready to have sexual relations.

FRAU K.:

I am. astonished at the way you talk to a young girl.

FREUD:

Don’t be astonished. It is no different than how a gynecologist would address a girl or a woman, and he brings no suspicion upon himself as long as it is unavoidable and the proper terminology is used. It isn’t like I am encouraging her to masturbate or talking about her being wet.

DORA:

After all, his treatment is far more respectable than Herr K's conversation!

FREUD:

To make an omelet, you have to break tradition.

FATHER:

You are corrupting an inexperienced girl and her innocence of mind!

FREUD:

If her innocence was not already corrupted, she would not have hysterical fits. Since she has these hysterical fits she must have already had some experiences to corrupt her!

FRAU K:

Did she tell you that she accused Herr K. of making sexual proposals to her?

FREUD:

She has only told me that she has never had an affair with a man and, unfortunately, does not wish to.

FATHER:

I have no doubt that this incident is responsible for Dora's depression and irritability and suicidal ideas.

DORA:

You need to break off relations with Frau K.

FATHER:

Excuse me?

DORA:

...Either her or me...

FRAU K:

You positively worshiped me formerly.

DORA:

You are a liar!

FATHER:

You are another.

DORA:

You need to break off relations with Herr K.

FATHER:

This I cannot do. For, to begin with, your tale of Herr K's immoral suggestions is a fantasy that has forced its way into your mind. Besides, (to FREUD) I am bound to Frau K. by ties of honorable friendship and I do not wish to cause her pain.

FRAU K:

I am most unhappy with my husband.

FATHER:

I have a very high opinion of Herr K.

FRAU K:

I myself have suffered a great deal with my nerves. (To DORA) Your father is my only support.

FATHER:

With my state of health, I need scarcely assure you that there is nothing wrong in our relations.

FRAU K:

We are just two poor wretches who give one another what comfort we can by an exchange of friendly sympathy. (To DORA) You already know that I get nothing out of your mother.

DORA:

You cannot move me from my hatred of the K's.

FATHER:

She inherits my obstinacy. (DORA goes into another fit of coughing which continues through the next conversation.) Please try to bring her to reason.

DORA:

She only loves my father because he is a man of means.

FREUD:

Because I am well on my way to knowing you intimately I know that you mean the opposite.

DORA:

What?

FREUD:

Your father, as a man, is without means.

DORA:

I’m not sure how you mean.

FREUD:

I mean in a sexual sense.

DORA:

What are you talking about?

FREUD:

He is impotent.

DORA:

Why do you say such a thing?

FREUD:

You must first recognize the contradiction in what you say. On one hand you say that your father and Frau K. are having a love affair. On the other hand, you maintain that your father is impotent and therefore unable to carry on a love affair of any kind. How can this be having a love affair if your father is impotent?

DORA:

I know very well that there is more than one way of obtaining sexual gratification.

FREUD:

What do you mean?

DORA:

I don't wish to discuss it.

FREUD:

Do you know of other ways for a man to please a woman besides his penis?

DORA:

Yes.

FREUD:

Even though you do not wish to discuss it, your cough gives you away.

DORA:

I am not clear what you mean.

FREUD:

You are aware that your father pleases Frau K. with his mouth instead of his penis. You must also be aware that it is possible for a woman to please a man in the same way. Since your cough started on your holiday with Herr K, it must mean that subconsciously you feel his penis in the back of your thought causing a gag reflex and coughing fit. I theorize that every time you want to give oral sex to man it results in this coughing. Obviously since you have these coughing fits around me, it also means that you want to please me orally.

HERR K:

Are you ready for the festival?

DORA:

Where is your wife?

HERR K:

I have persuaded her to stay at home.

DORA:

Where are your clerks?

HERR K:

I sent them away.

DORA:

Why did you do that?

HERR K:

...So that we would be alone when you arrived...

FREUD:

So I am right.

DORA:

Neither of us ever mentioned the little scene. I have kept it a secret till now. This is my confession.

FREUD:

You’ve been a bad girl.

DORA:

For some time afterwards, however, I avoided being alone with Herr K.

HERR K:

However, we have already made plans for an expedition on which you were to have accompanied us.

DORA:

I refuse to join your party.

HERR K:

Why...

DORA:

I refuse to join your party.

HERR K:

But I—

DORA:

I REFUSE TO JOIN YOUR PARTY!

FREUD:

When did this happen?

DORA:

Two years ago

FREUD:

Do you know what happens to a man when he gets excited?

DORA:

Yes

FREUD:

Did you know this information two years ago?

DORA:

I think not.

FREUD:

When did you learn this knowledge?

DORA:

I forget. It must have been sometime since then.

FREUD:

Let’s talk more about how you touched Herr K.

DORA:

This is all perfectly correct and true, is it not? What do you want to change in it now that I have told it to you? Do you not see that my father is insincere? He has a strain of falseness in his character, he only thinks of his own enjoyment, and he has a gift for seeing things in the light that suits him best.

FREUD:

We are not talking about your father. If we cannot reach the cause of your coughing soon other symptoms will manifest itself of your physical desire to love another. (DORA clutches herself in sudden piercing gastric pains.) If it is true that you desire to physically love another and it is not Herr K and it is not your father, it must be someone else with both know. (DORA cries out from her pain.) This pain is caused by avoiding thinking of the person you wish to love physically!

DORA:

(Speaking through in her pain) I can think of nothing else; I know my brother says that we children have no tight to criticize this behavior of Father's. He declares that we ought not to trouble ourselves about it, and ought to even to be glad, perhaps, that he has found a woman he can love, since mother understands him so little. I can quite see that, and I should like thinking the same as my brother, but I can't. I can't forgive him for it... (DORA's pain forces her to stop speaking.)

FREUD:

You adopted a cough because you wanted to give oral sex like your father. Who are you copying now?

DORA (speaking through her pain):

What do you mean?

FREUD:

You are not physically ill; there is another reason for it. When else have you seen pains like this?

DORA:

The day before I was visiting my cousins, the daughters of my aunt who had died, and the younger one fell ill with gastric pains, and she was sent off to a fashionable health resort in the mountains.

FREUD:

Perhaps hers were no genuine, either.

DORA:

True. Hers were all just envy towards her newly betrothed younger sister. She always got ill when she wanted something, and what she wanted was to be away from home so as not to have to look on her sister's happiness.

FREUD:

You feel the same way?

DORA:

She is a malingerer; she only fakes pain because she envies her cousin's love because she had recently had a love affair that had ended unhappily.

FREUD:

So she was ill with jealousy?

DORA:

It is what women do. I learned this from observing Frau K. what useful things illnesses could become.

FREUD:

Do tell.

DORA:

Herr K. spent part of the year travelling. Whenever he came back, he would fine Frau K. in bad health. What he did not know is that she had been quite well only the day before.

FREUD:

So in this case, much different that yours, she was sick around the man she wished not to love.

DORA:

She was glad to be ill to be able to escape the conjugal duties that she so much detested.

FREUD:

Herr K. shows no similar symptoms?

DORA:

No, although he should. He should be ill (from longing, let us say) when he was away from her, and well (from joy) when he was home again with her.

FREUD:

This was at the same period of your coughing fits.

DORA:

Yes.

FREUD:

How long would these fits last?

DORA:

They would last from three to six weeks, perhaps.

FREUD:

How long was Herr K home for before he would go away again?

DORA:

He would be home for three to six weeks, too.

FREUD:

Do you think that your coughing fits were cured by your be—

DORA:

I have a seven-year old cousin (on my mother's side) and in whom I often thought I saw a kind of reflection of my own childhood. This little girl had (not for the first time) been the witness of a heated dispute between her father and her governess, and, when I happened to come in on a visit soon afterwards, whispered in my ear: "You can't think how I hate that person!" (Pointing to her father), "and when he's dead I shall marry her."

FREUD:

You knew what I was going to ask then?

DORA:

No.

FREUD:

You are fooling yourself. You say "no" because you are afraid to admit the opposite. (FRAU K appears on stage and DORA's pain disappears. She runs to FRAU K and they embrace. Her FATHER appears on the other side of the stage and they lock eyes. DORA walks over to her FATHER and takes his hand, leading her FATHER to FRAU K...) clearly every time you say "no" you are only denying the truth. I was incorrect in assuming that you were denying your love of Herr K. (DORA places her FATHER's hand in FRAU K's and takes FRAU K's other hand herself.) By what you have just confirmed by your "no", I can see there is someone you wish to love physically but not Herr K. By the fact that your affection towards your father I can see that it is not him either. (DORA gazes lovingly at FRAU K. and strokes FRAU K's arm gently.) I can see how you are sexually confused as you are physically in love with someone with whom you should not be. (DORA kisses FRAU K's hand.) This is the cause of your hysteria. To cure it you must recognize the source of this love. Your father wanted you to come to therapy to cure you which at first you resisted. I can now see that your attraction to coming to see me as a doctor is secretly veiling your attraction to me as a man. (DORA puts her arm around FRAU K's waist.) Is this not true?

DORA:

No.

FREUD:

Do you now understand that your supposed love for Herr K was just masking your love for someone forbidden?

DORA:

No.

FREUD:

Do you find yourself to be angry at Herr K for this?

DORA:

No. (HERR K. kisses FRAU K. and then kisses DORA.) I mean, "yes".

DORA:

I find it impossible to be as angry with Herr K. as he deserves.

FREUD:

Do you find it possible to be angry with Frau K.?

DORA:

No, she's beautiful. I find it impossible to be angry with someone as lovely as Frau K. She has an adorable white body.

FREUD:

Good night, Dora.

DORA:

Good night, Doctor Freud.