Briefe von Anna Freud an Max Eitingon (1926–1928)

Letters by Anna Freud to an Max Eitingon

From Anna Freud‘s estate, 41 letters and telegrams to Max Eitingon were selected, dating from the period between August 29, 1926 and February 16, 1928. This is the period in which Anna Freud planned, presented, wrote and published her first major work, Introduction to the Technique of Child Analysis (in German: 1927), and experienced its first reception in the psychoanalytic community. Contrary to expectations, Anna Freud is seen here as a pioneer of the analytic technique who did not adhere to the precepts of neutrality and abstinence, fully aware of the fact that her proposals for the treatment of children could be called »unanalytic«. It is shown that Freud, Eitingon and Ferenczi welcomed Anna Freud‘s new technique, while colleagues in London criticized the »unanalytical« nature of Anna Freud‘s approach. Finally, it is shown that just one year later, Anna began to give up parts of her technique, and was now involved – again in a thoroughly »rebellious« manner – in the work on the statutes for the training of child analysts and the psychoanalytic training of teachers. Anna Freud‘s relationships with Lou Andreas-Salomé and Max Eitingon are also mentioned. Both supported Anna, and both relationships came into serious crisis over the question of child analysis.