Letter from Sigmund Freud to Stefan Zweig, July 20, 1938

39 Elsworthy Road
London N.W. 3
July 20, 1938

Dear Stefan Zweig

I really have reason to thank you for the introduction which brought me yesterday's visitors. For until then I was inclined to

look upon surrealists, who have apparently chosen me for their patron saint, as absolute (let us say 95 per cent, like alcohol) cranks. The young Spaniard,1 however, with his candid fanatical eyes and his undeniable technical mastery, has made me reconsider my opinion. It would in fact be very interesting to investigate analytically how a picture like this came to be painted. From the critical point of view it could still be maintained that the notion of art defies expansion as long as the quantitative proportion of unconscious material and preconscious treatment does not remain within definite limits. In any case these are serious psychological problems.

As for the other visitor, I like putting obstacles in the path of a candidate in order to test the seriousness of his intention and increase his spirit of sacrifice. Psychoanalysis is like a woman who wants to be seduced but knows she will be underrated unless she offers resistance. If your Mr. J. takes too long thinking it over, he can go to someone else later on, to Jones or to my daughter.

I am told that on going away you left something behind—gloves, etc. You realize that this means a promise to return.

Cordially
Your
Freud