[The conditions of the scientific productivity of psychoanalysts in Germany from 1933 to 1945--a preliminary assessment and a tentative evaluation of Alexandre Mette (1897-1985) and of his project on Novalis].

Under the conditions of persecution and repression imposed by Nazi Germany there was no productive contribution to psycho-analytical science. The limitations responsible for this are outlined. After classing the psycho-analytical writings of these years into groups, the production and publication practice of the period is examined through the works of Alexander Mette. Even when the clinical problems of applied psycho-analysis were set aside, as in the analytico-biographical study of Novalis, made jointly with Edmund Bergler in 1935, this was insufficient to guarantee the possibility of completing the study. Novalis was among that group of German poets and thinkers who were lauded as discoverers of the unconscious in order to diminish the importance of Freud's pioneer work. In spite of the failure of the Novalis project, Mette's effort to preserve publishing autonomy, through his publishing house (Dion-Verlag) must be considered a noteworthy attempt to oppose official regimentation (Gleichschaltung). Mette's personal development after the war, when he replaced Freud by a new idol, Pavlov, is treated briefly.