Discussion of Lawrence J. Friedman's Article, From Gradiva to the Death Instinct

Because “The Analyst's Silence” brings up a problem which—as Zeligs noted—has not yet been systematically studied and formulated, I find the paper very interesting and the clinical material often enlightening. I agree generally with most of the explanations and conclusions and completely that the analyst's silence will have different effects in each case, depending upon the many factors enumerated by the authors—and also upon the personality and temperament of the analyst. But there is one point which I cannot accept.

I doubt whether silence could ever be an “independent and experimental variable.” There is in silence no fundamental difference from any other verbal or nonverbal attitude of the analyst, which is always influenced by his conscious or unconscious countertransference. Although in the described cases the analyst “decided” to become silent, this was not only the result of mere rational ponderation but also of feelings aroused by the patient. It would

have been interesting if the authors had transmitted in their presentation more of their feelings during the long periods of silence.

During some periods of silence the analyst will be able to continue in contact with the patient and can perceive what is going on with him. But when the silence lasts for weeks or months, it seems to me impossible for the analyst to join the patient, identify and understand him. Case 1, where this problem must have come up, is interesting, since I have never heard nor read nor myself had the experience of an analysis in which both parties maintained complete silence during periods of ten months and achieved very good interpretations in respect to the defenses, id, ego, and superego alterations, adjustment, etc. It is not clear why and how the silence had to be used so long and had such a good effect. I will make some suggestions which in themselves might help clarify my understanding of the situation.

In the paragraph preceding “Mrs. Z. presented her problems and salient life hi