Commentary: Charles Brenner’s Memoir

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Notes

1 This was exactly the account he offered to me during my one instance of meeting Brenner in person. It was in the library of Jason Aronson’s apartment during an event celebrating the publication of Paul Gray’s book, The Ego and Analysis of Defense, in 1994. I was struck then by his generosity and openness in discussing the personal origins of his career with, at that time, a very junior colleague whom he had only just met.

2 Unless otherwise indicated, all pages noted are from the Brenner Memoir.

3 Brenner’s claim that he originated the concept of multiple function reflects an uncharacteristic lapse in his usual practice of giving credit to others. As Brenner had been pointing out since at least the 1950s, it was Robert Waelder (1936) who both coined the term and originated the concept of multiple function. Brenner’s view of the ubiquity of conflict and compromise formation builds on Waelder’s concept but also differs from it in a number of respects (see Brenner 1982).

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Neal Vorus

Neal Vorus Ph.D. is Training and Supervising Analyst and Faculty Member at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (IPTAR) and is Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.