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In a short introduction, Heinrich Meng gives a few data about Pfarrer Oskar Pfister, who was born February 23, 1873 and died in 1956. Ernst Freud's introduction states that, from this correspondence which covered thirty years, one hundred of the one hundred thirty-four letters written by his father were chosen for publication. A third, also very brief introduction, by Anna Freud describes the parson as a strange figure in Freud's home which was so turned away from religion and church. He differed from other visiting analysts in his warmth, enthusiasm, and ability to be interested in the most minute details of the Freud family. In the eyes of the Freud children, he was not a holy man but more like the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Approximately thirty letters from Pfister are included, the majority of which were written after 1927 when Freud, at Pfister's request, destroyed most of the clergyman's letters. More than half of those published here have been shortened.
It is a special delight to have both sides of this correspondence available. Even when the difference in stature, style, and depth of the two letter writers becomes obvious, both men stand their ground well. Their affection for each other remained unchanged throughout these thirty years.
In his first letter in 1909, Freud is enthusiastic over having found a minister interested in psychoanalysis. He considers the parson's therapeutic position a fortunate one, since he may guide his patient's transference from the therapist toward God. Freud is surprised that he had not realized before how well psychoanalysis could be handled by an understanding clergyman.
Pfister is quick to answer that 'the Protestant Reformation is nothing but psychoanalysis of Catholic sexual repression', and Freud finally calls Pfister and himself 'sexual Protestants'. From the beginning, Freud admonishes Pfister not to shy away from sexuality: he declares that all censorship is bad and cuts deeply into the body of psychoanalysis.
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