o become a central theme of Jung's psychological theories.
After graduation from high school, Jung underwent a period of uncertainty regarding his career path. He had an intense interest in science, philosophy, religion, and archeology. Again, dreams were instrumental in solving his dilemma: "Dreams, fantasies, and parapsychological phenomena were always to play a great role in Jung's life, especially when he had to make an important decision" (Vernon and Nordby 21). Jung was briefly a medical student, which he gave up in order to study psychiatry.
As a professional, Jung developed an intense interest in the theories of one of his eminent contemporaries, Sigmund Freud. In 1906, Jung initiated correspondence with Freud, which eventually led to the meeting of the two men: "For months Jung had been filled with eager anticipation at the prospect of his first encounter with the master" (Staude 33). Freud was 50 at the time, Jung was 31; their professional friendship lasted from 1907 to 1913. Initially, Freud, as well as Jung, benefitted from the alliance: "Freud regarded Jung as the successor who could help him carry his revolutionary theories to a wider audience" (Goode 66). Theoretical disputes eventually created a rift between the two psychiatrists, resulting in Jung's permanently breaking off his relationship with Freud.
Both Jung and Freud considered dreamwork important to psychoanalysis, but each held divergent views about
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