Letter from Georg Groddeck to Sigmund Freud, October 17, 1920

Baden Baden, October 17, 1920

Dear Professor,

Instead of the article on symbols which I promised you a long time ago I am sending you something which arose out of the congress37. For me this attempt at sorting out the terminology is necessary because otherwise I shall be constantly misunderstood. After this test I hope to be considered worthy of the diploma of psychoanalysis and shall return, my conscience cleared, to my own gibberish which I find easier to handle and which leaves me the freedom to think what I must think. The congress had a rather unpleasant consequence for me. The old experience that words put chains on thought was confirmed to such an extent that my fear of technical terms and strict definitions has become even greater than before.

The article can perhaps be used in the Zeitschrift. Did Rank38 tell you the title he has found for the novel? Der Seelensucher [the seeker of souls]. I like it, but I do not want to change anything without your approval. By way of explanation I must add that I introduced a story about a silhouette into the first chapter where Thomas Weltlein is called a seeker of souls which dominates the novel; the whole of the silhouette is printed on the title page. To make the acquaintance of Rank was especially pleasant for me. The few words he said during the congress expressed clearly and resolutely what he was thinking, and that is a gift I find interesting.

Otherwise I followed you round during the congress in a semi-trance; like somebody who is in love. And thinking back on this now I am glad that I am still young enough to have strong feelings, when it is worth while. My wish now is to be together with you once in peace. But the prospects are not favourable. I am stuck here and have to earn money and you are probably in a similar position.

Give my regards to Fräulein Anna39 and whoever else is interested in having them, and warmest regards to you

from your loyal disciple Groddeck