Followed by Freud - My Private Notes (1912-1913)

Author: Lou Andreas-Salomé
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Correspondence with Sigmund Freud – Lou Andreas-Salomé to Sigmund Freud, September 27, 1912, G?ttingen Since last autumn, when I was invited to the Weimar Conference, I have never abandoned the study of psychoanalysis; and the deeper I delve into it, the more I am drawn to it. Now, by sheer luck, I have finally been given the opportunity to go to Vienna, where I can stay for a few months. Isn’t it? I can consult you in person, attend your lectures, and perhaps even apply to join your “Wednesday Society”? To devote myself entirely to the above matters is the sole purpose of my trip to Vienna.
Sigmund Freud to Lou Andreas-Salomé, October 1, 1912, Vienna If you can come to Vienna, we will do our utmost to show you the current state and known insights of psychoanalytic research. I have long said that your participation in the Weimar Conference last year was a good omen.
Sigmund Freud to Lou Andreas-Salomé, November 4, 1912, Vienna Given that you have informed me of your intention to attend Adler’s group discussions, I must boldly introduce the current awkward situation to you here. There is no connection between the two societies, whether their goals are similar or divergent. People often have other engagements besides participating in Adler’s society, and we must prohibit any contact between the splinter group of Adler and our group; even our doctors are required to choose between Adler and us. This seems somewhat unpleasant, but we have no choice regarding the personal behavior of the splinter group. Regarding you, respected lady, I do not wish to impose such restrictions, merely asking you to consider the current situation—as if facing an artificial split, do not mention your condition here to Adler, and vice versa.
Sigmund Freud to Lou Andreas-Salomé, November 10, 1912, Vienna If I have understood correctly, you wish to meet me in person. In fact, if it weren’t for the recent multitude of matters and the need to invest considerable effort in establishing a new central journal, I would have already proposed this suggestion to you. I do not know whether your lifestyle allows for discussions after 10 p.m., but my schedule cannot be any earlier. If you can honor my home with your visit at such a late hour, I would be very happy to escort you safely home afterward. We can arrange a suitable day for the meeting on a Wednesday evening. I did not see you at yesterday’s lecture. I was glad to hear that your absence was not due to attending the lecture on “The Male Protest.” I have a bad habit of staring at a particular person in the lecture hall during my classes, and yesterday my eyes were particularly captivated by your empty seat.
Sigmund Freud to Lou Andreas-Salomé, March 2, 1913, Vienna I did not see you at the lecture on Saturday, so I had to reply to your kind letter in writing, which I apologize for! Without seeing a fixed person appear, my speech even