Burning Books
"Imagine how such a censorship must affect me who have always been in the habit of expressing freely what I believe" Letter to Ernest Jones, May 13 1938
When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933 they marked the ocassion
by burning books. Symbolic rituals of cleansing and renewal are common
in many societies, as is the symbolism of fire. Many of the blacklisted
authors were Jewish and attacked for their racial origins rather than literary
merit. In the case of Freud, the content of his work did not go unnoticed,
and a special declamation was issued as his books were thrown onto the
flames.
| "Against the soul-destroying glorification of the instinctual life, for the nobility of the human soul! I consign to the flames the writings of the school of Sigmund Freud." |
Freud was subject to many attempts to censor his thought and work, even from his closest admirers. At one point, Ernest Jones tried to persuade him not to publish his work on telepathy for fear it would undermine the scientific credibility of psychoanalysis. It was 'Moses and Monotheism', however, which caused greatest consternation. One newspaper editorial stated:
"Had 'Moses and Monotheism' been written by one of the common run of writers it would have been ignored by all, except perhaps by the Public Censor. The film censor would have banned its production 'for the general public'".
and he added ominously:
"If the Jewish Press in this country does not make a vigorous protest against this insult to Freud's race and to his hosts the consequences may be far-reaching. Surely the Jews in this country understand how difficult it has been for their Christian friends to keep anti-Semitism in leash." (Catholic Herald London July 14 1939)
In the same paper, Fr. Vincent McNabb, reviewing the book, makes a similar veiled threat: "Professor Freud is naturally grateful to "free, generous England" for the welcome it has given him. But if his frank championship of atheism and incest is widely recognised we wonder how long the welcome will remain in an England that still calls itself Christian"
Freud also received personal letters to his home. Some from his
American Jewish readers echoed the tone of many of the emails which have
winged their way to me in recent weeks. A letter sent anonymously from
Boston on May 29 1938 pulled no punches:
| "Dear Doctor;-
I read in the local press your statement that Moses was not a Jew. It is to be regretted that you could not go to your grave without disgracing yourself, you old nitwit. We have had renegades like you by the thousands, we are glad we are rid of them and we hope soon to be rid of you. It is to be regretted that the Gangsters in Germany did not put you into a concentration camp, that's where you belong." |
A charming communication, I'm sure you'll agree, with the old fashioned 'nitwit' and concern about the old man 'disgracing himself'.
Other letters, of no less passionate intensity but more cogently argued,
focused on the blow to Jewish pride and the risk of inflamming racial prejudice.
Barrister S. J. Birnbaum wrote from Toronto:
| "As you are a refugee, through Race prejudice, I know you will appreciate
the effect that such a book will have on non-Jews, even outside of Hitler-land.
We Jews were priding ourselves all the time with having given to the world men like Moses and the other great figures and teachers of the Bible, and now we have a refugee Jew trying to prove to the Gentiles that even Moses was not of our own Race. I hope you will not publish this book. I heard of your contention some time ago, from certain Viennese refugees who are in Canada, and I know that a great deal of harm will result to the Jewish people if your book is published. I sincerely, trust that you will see your way clear to abandon the idea of publishing this book. It will result to us in irreparable harm and will just be a further weapon in the hands of Goebbels and the other beasts. With best wishes.
|
Freud must have been bemused by this argument, implying as it does that mere words can change things as tenacious as people's beliefs, or that political power could be mobilised by the expression of his opinions. If he thought that he would have advised his patients to go and read a book rather than enter the gruelling demands of analysis. Or he would have issued proclamations himself, demanding world peace, an end to poverty and compulsory studying of his works in the universities.
Other letters focused on Freud's supposed insult to his Christian hosts
in England. The English born Jewish scholar Charles Singer wrote to Freud
via his youngest son Ernst:
| "However things were in the past in England and however they may be on the continent, there can be no doubt of the attitude of the Churches in England at the present time. The Churches in England form the firmest, the most effective and the most active defence against anti-Semitism. It is therefore my belief that anything that could be construed (however wrongly) as an attack on Christianity, written in England by professor Freud, would be a misfortune not only to Jews but also to Britain." |
In his reply, Freud argued that the book was unlikely to be construed as an attack on Christianity, and added:
"Needless to say, I don't like offending my own people, either. But what can I do about it? I have spent my whole life standing up for what I have considered to be scientific truth, even when it was uncomfortable and unpleasant for my fellow men. I cannot end up with an act of disavowal. Your letter contains the assurance which testifies to your superior intelligence, that everything I write is bound to cause misunderstanding and - may I add - indignation. Well, we Jews have been reproached for growing cowardly in the course of centuries. (Once upon a time we were a valiant nation.) In this transformation I had no share. So I must risk it.
Very sincerely yours,
Freud
October 31, 1938"
I think we can safely assume that although Freud (pessimist that he was) derided any idea of the 'pursuit of happiness' as part of a national constitution, he would have been gratified that 'freedom of speech' could be enshrined in such. Freud escaped Nazi Germany not just for his physical freedom but for the freedom of his thought. Let's not disgrace his memory with renewed demands for bookburning today.
Freud Today | Education Page