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Malanie Klein's last work is a remarkable, unique document; a complete account of a child's analysis in which her method is open to evaluation and judgment by the reader. In ninety-three sessions, over a period of four and one-half months, the reader follows the analysis of a ten-year-old boy. At the end of each session are elaborate notes in which Mrs. Klein discusses her theoretical approach.
Mrs. Klein describes the patient, Richard, as a character neurosis with many severe phobic features; a gifted child who could not get along with other children and felt persecuted by them. Too fearful to attend school, he clung to his mother in a persistent and exhausting manner. Although talented and precocious, he was very limited in his interests. He used a facile command of language more to hide feelings than to express them. He was overwhelmed and preoccupied with the war situation (1941), closely following the news and current events.
Richard was the younger of two children. His brother, about eight years older, had been successful in school and was the mother's favorite. The mother inclined toward depression, worried a great deal about Richard, though she resented his dependence on her. The father was described as mild and gentle, but somewhat removed; the older brother as friendly but not much interested in Richard. On the whole, the family life was harmonious. At the outbreak of the war the family had moved to the country, while the older son was sent away to school.
In her Introduction, Mrs. Klein explains carefully the basic rules of analysis to be observed; i.e., the flow of the patient's associations must not be violated and, at the same time, one should make consistent use of transference interpretations, a fact not sufficiently evident in The Psychoanalysis of Children.
It might be of interest to describe some of the sessions in detail. The first session started peacefully. Little toys, pencils, and writing pads were laid out on the table. Richard