Ruined by Success, But Rescued by Failure: Theodor Reik and the Creative Impact of Social Masochism1

As one of the most autobiographical psychoanalytic theorists of guilt, (self-) punishment and (compulsive) confession, Theodor Reik rarely let an opportunity go by to recall and disclose those occasions when his beloved Sigmund Freud had disciplined his naïve foolishness with the solid rod of paternal wisdom. Whether driven by a sense of pride or a search for legitimacy, many an aspiring pupil would no doubt wish to share primarily those achievements that had managed to receive the master's blessing. Reik, however, seems to have relished the moments when Freud had once again expressed his profound dissatisfaction with one or the other aspect of his follower's personal and professional course of action.

In the introduction to the publication of his letters from Freud, Reik (1956) conceded that, for obvious reasons, he had removed sections from the correspondence in which personal details of patients and fellow psychoanalysts were being discussed. Yet he had “considered it inappropriate to omit Freud's critical comments” on his own “shortcomings and weaknesses,” because they had been formulated “with such obvious benevolence and in such a form that he almost never hurt my feelings” (pp. 629-630). Whenever they occurred, Freud's criticisms and reprimands did not seem to have struck Reik as painful instances of disapproval