VG: Ok, so you said you have a superstition?
AM: I am 99% sure I know how I’m gonna die and when.
VG: Uh-how?
AM: Once a month, I have the same exact dream where I’m driving in a car during the rain and ss- what is it- we end up hydroplaning and falling on train tracks and not um having enough time to get off the car and getting hit by a dream. What is it- every month the dream changes just a little bit, but it’s always us driving, hydroplaning, and then ch- hitting a ditch.
VG: So you believe in the power of recurring dreams?
AM: Yes. Every month for the past three years.
VG: Do you know the specific day?
AM: No. All I know is is it’s raining really bad and we’re on the highway.
VG: Wow…who’s- you say we, whose in the car?
AM: Usually, my dad, my mom, and me.
VG: Wow…have you told them about it?
AM: Nope..not yet.
Background:
Location of Story – Variable, Southern California
Location of Performance – Dormitory room, Los Angeles, CA, night
Context: This performance took place in a group setting – about 2-3 people – in a college dormitory room. This performance was prompted by the call for stories about beliefs, ghosts, or superstitions as examples of folklore. This story came after a few others from a friend in response to the prompt “weird beliefs.”
Analysis: This a great example about the folklore and folk belief in reoccurring dreams because it offers such a precise description of what AM experiences in the dream. This precision is most likely because of the recent development of this recurring and very consistent dream. I also think it is interesting to note the absence of supernatural elements of this story. Frequently, people have monsters, paranormal activity, etc. in their dreams, so the fact that this story is based in reality effectively conveys the idea that this could be an omen – it is much closer to things that could actually occur. Possibly, the realistic narrative of the dream is related to the recent development of this dream. AM is a college freshman, so this dream could reflect feelings of fear about growing older and separating from the family.
Additional reading: Kaivola-Bregenhøj, Annikki. “Dreams as folklore.” Fabula 34 (1993): 211-224. This article offers a great explanation about dreamlore as well as the relative novelty of its performance.