Psychoanalytic thematic analysis of literary works is based on the assumption that, in the content of these works, repressed infantile fantasy material can be detected. Freud and some of his disciples analyzed a number of works, looking mostly for themes related to the oedipal conflict. But also pre-oedipal fantasies are expressed in literary productions; typical examples of these are found in fairy-tales. Also a contribution from the Kleinian school is discussed, in which the getting rid of bad internal objects is considered as the common theme in some novels of J. Conrad. In general, psychoanalytic thematic analysis of literary works, if critically evaluated, can contribute to a better understanding of unconscious dynamic forces in psychological functioning.