Unpublished letter from S. H. Foulkes to Wilfred D. Abse. A unique summary of Foulkes’ late group-analytic theory, by Wolfgang Martin Roth<\/p>\n
Translated by Alkyoni Tsegou<\/p>\n
In this unpublished 18-page letter to his friend Wilfred D. Abse, the late Foulkes offers new autobiographical information about his intense relationship with the theater during his younger years. Furthermore, he makes a last-ditch effort to clarify Trigant Burrow’s contribution to the history of Group Analysis, in comparison with his own.
\nIn this letter he reveals a kind of distancing from the London group-analytic space. He considers this particular letter as a summary of his later group-analytical views.<\/p>\n
….<\/p>\n
In the mid-1920s, I happened to read two articles by Trigant Burrow which must have made a deep impression on me. They put into my mind the idea of \u200b\u200bgroup analysis as a type of therapy. There were other influences in the environment at that time: in addition to plays such as Pirandello\u2019s Six Faces Seeking an Author, I remember being very impressed by Maxim Gorky\u2019s At the Bottom, which was recently re-performed in London. A play without a hero, a leaderless group on stage, guided by powerful, anonymous forces. I reflected on the pathogenic and therapeutic power of theatre and everyday life. Fifteen years passed between this early influence and my first real experience in a group (Foulkes, 1964: 13).<\/p>\n
….<\/p>\n
One might even conclude that this letter was intended by Foulkes to constitute a deeply group-analytic testament, to be published after his death. However, this seems somewhat exaggerated, as Foulkes allowed his friend to make omissions and corrections for publication, which, incidentally, constitutes a very unusual expression of trust \u2013 and the legacy of a rare and unique friendship.
\nMy final conclusion is this: This letter should be considered a carefully edited summary of Foulkes’s very late interpretations of Group Analysis.<\/p>\n
The translation of the letter was published in Matrix Magazine, Issue 36. See the full text in greek language at the link below:<\/p>\n