New Books in Psychology Naomi Seidman, "In the Freud Closet: Psychoanalysis and Jewish Languages" (Stanford UP, 2024)
Oct 2, 2024
Naomi Seidman, a Chancellor Jackman Professor of the Arts at the University of Toronto, dives into the intricate connections between psychoanalysis and Jewish identity. She challenges the popular obsession with Freud's Jewishness, spotlighting the motivations behind this scholarly pursuit. Seidman discusses the role of Hebrew and Yiddish in psychoanalytic literature and examines personal influences on her writing. The conversation also touches on the identity struggles of Jews in the context of Freud's theories, revealing the complexities of assimilation and cultural heritage.
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Seidman's Freud Collection
- Naomi Seidman's interest in Freud began with collecting his books, particularly Hebrew and Yiddish translations.
- Her collection grew, including doubles sent to the Freud Museum in Vienna.
The Freud Closet
- Seidman's "Freud closet" is a small home office where she kept her Freud collection and memorabilia.
- The publisher resisted this title for the book, fearing it would be misconstrued as relating to Freud's hidden Jewishness.
Surface Jewishness
- Seidman challenges the notion of Freud's "closeted Jewishness," arguing his Jewishness is evident in his work and prefaces.
- She focuses on Freud's overt expressions of Jewish identity instead of seeking hidden meanings.