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Preconscious

Philosophy
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The preconscious consists of thoughts, memories, and knowledge that are not currently conscious but can be readily accessed. It is the layer of mind between the unconscious and consciousness.

Detailed Definition
Freud's topography includes the preconscious. In poetry, it is the source of readily available imagery and associations. A poet might draw on preconscious material to craft vivid details or clear memories. This level of mind is associated with everyday language and conventional symbolism. The preconscious is where a lot of poetic craft operates, providing the raw material for conscious artistic arrangement.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poem by Robert Frost that draws on a clear, accessible memory, like "Birches," is using preconscious material; The ready images of daily life that appear in a poem by William Carlos Williams come from the preconscious; A poet's use of conventional symbols, like the rose, is a retrieval from the preconscious; The memory of a specific, non-traumatic event, as in a poem by Edward Thomas, is a preconscious recall.
Additional Notes
The preconscious is one of the levels of the mind in Freud's topographical model, situated between the conscious and the unconscious. It consists of thoughts, memories, and knowledge that are not currently in conscious awareness but can be readily brought into consciousness with a little effort. Unlike the unconscious, the preconscious is not repressed and is easily accessible. In poetry, it is the source of readily available imagery, conventional symbols, and clear memories. A poet might draw on preconscious material to craft vivid, understandable details. This is the layer of the mind associated with everyday language and common sense, providing the raw, accessible material for the poet's conscious artistry.
Also Known As
The foreconscious Accessible memory Preconscious mind
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