»Meine furchtbaren Träume / habe ich erlebt!«

Abstract This article focuses on Paula Ludwig’s dream texts (›Traumtexte‹) and her dream conception. Fundamental to understand her concept of dreams is her stay in Munich, where she encountered numerous intellectuals and lovers of culture, including Grete Weisberger and Karl Wolfskehl. It is likely in this context that she came into contact with Ludwig Klages’ dream theories, which have left clear traces in the paratexts of her dream collections. However the development of National Socialism and the outbreak of the Second World War soon disrupted European and world history, which was reflected in Paula Ludwig’s life and work. Accordingly, the article aims to shed light on the incursion of history into Paula Ludwig’s dream world, using a philological and hermeneutic method that also considers biographical, historical and cultural aspects.