ABSTRACT
Smiley Blanton’s analytic diary tells his story as Freud’s analysand. Written during the analysis and edited continuously afterward, it was not published until after Blanton’s death. A crucial layer in Blanton’s memoir is the author’s gradual evolution into an independent psychoanalyst with his own distinct views and methods of treatment. This process is presented as occurring thanks to Freud’s constant presence in the author’s life, in analytic sessions over the years as well as through the inspiration of his persona as analyst. Blanton’s preoccupation with the persona of Freud as the author of The Interpretation of Dreams continues into their third analytic encounter. Freud himself is described by Blanton as speaking of his aging, by contrast, with a salient and decisive lack of inhibition. For example, Blanton paid in advance for his sessions at the beginning of each phase of analysis. Blanton’s memoir presents us with a condensed textual work of translation for a multi-layered, longitudinal analytic experience.
