Superior Powers

The two novellas by Wilhelm Jensen (1837-1911), "The Red Umbrella" ("Der rote Schirm") and "In the Gothic House" ("Im gotischen Hause") were originally published by Verlag Emil Felber, Berlin in 1892 under the title BERM CHTE SUPERIOR POWERS]. They have not been reprinted since, nor have they to the best of my knowledge ever been translated into English. They play a role in the history of psycho-analysis, because Sigmund Freud refers to them in a letter to Wilhelm Jensen on December 16, 1907 concerning the latter's novella GRADIVA, which Freud had analysed at length: ". . . a knowledgeable friend has drawn my attention to two other novellas of yours, which you have combined under one title as " berm chte" "Superior Powers"]. Of these the first - Der rote Schirm - The Red Umbrella] shows remarkably many traits which also belong to the Gradiva; the other - Im gotischen Hause - In the Gothic House] appears to be related to the Gradiva via mediation of the first." The full text of Freud's letter and Jensen's reply are found in the Appendix. - Unless otherwise stated, the translations are by me. I have included the original German poems to allow readers a comparison. Hartmut Heyck, translator, Great-grandson of Wilhelm Jensen