In this essay the aim is to examine what an analysis of records of the Swedish phenomenon called the ?mara? or nightmare can tell us about gender relations in the nineteenth century Swedish peasant society. From Snorre Sturlasson to studies done in the present day I go through records and the people who has written them for answers to my questions. I use the methods sex/gender and Michel Foucault?s perspective of power and my main material I study is records from DAG.With this essay I take you through methods, and descriptions of the ?mara?.