fei75766_ch08_242-270.indd 261  02/06/20 12:02 PM
Chapter 8    Fromm: Humanistic Psychoanalysis261
A Psychohistorical Study of Hitler
Following Freud (seeChapter 2),Fromm examined historical documents inorder to
sketch apsychological portrait ofaprominent person, atechnique called psychohis -
toryorpsychobiography. Thesubject ofFromm’s most complete psychobiographical 
study wasFreud (Fromm, 1959), butFromm (1941, 1973, 1986) alsowrote atlength 
onthelifeofAdolf Hitler.
Fromm regarded Hitler astheworld’s most conspicuous example ofaperson 
withthesyndrome of decay, possessing acombination ofnecrophilia, malignant nar-
cissism, andincestuous symbiosis. Hitler displayed allthree pathological disorders. 
Hewasattracted todeath anddestruction; narrowly focused onself-interests; and
driven byanincestuous devotion totheGermanic “race,” being fanatically dedicated 
topreventing itsblood from being polluted byJewsandother “non-Aryans.”
Unlike some psychoanalysts wholookonlytoearly childhood forclues toadult 
personality, Fromm believed thateachstage ofdevelopment isimportant andthat
nothing inHitler’s early lifebenthiminevitably toward thesyndrome ofdecay.
Asachild, Hitler wassomewhat spoiled byhismother, butherindulgence didnot
cause hislaterpathology. Itdid,however, foster narcissistic feelings ofself-importance. 
“Hitler’s mother never became tohimaperson towhom hewaslovingly ortenderly 
attached. Shewasasymbol oftheprotecting andadmiring goddesses, butalsoofthe
goddess ofdeath andchaos” (Fromm, 1973, p.378).
Hitler wasanabove-average student inelementary school, butafailure inhigh
school. During adolescence, heexperienced some conflict withhisfather, whowanted 
himtobemore responsible andtotakeareliable civilservice job.Hitler, ontheother 
hand, somewhat unrealistically desired tobeanartist. Alsoduring thistime, hebegan 
increasingly tolosehimself infantasy. Hisnarcissism ignited aburning passion for
greatness asanartist orarchitect, butreality brought himfailure afterfailure inthis
area. “Each failure caused agraver wound tohisnarcissism andadeeper humiliation 
thantheprevious one”(Fromm, 1973, p.395). 
Ashisfailures grew innumber, hebecame more 
involved inhisfantasy world, more resentful of
others, more motivated forrevenge, andmore 
necrophilic.
Hitler’s terrible realization ofhisfailure as
anartist wasblunted bytheoutbreak ofWorld 
WarI.Hisfierce ambition could nowbechan -
neled intobeing agreat warherofighting for
hishomeland. Although hewasnogreat hero, 
hewasaresponsible, disciplined, anddutiful 
soldier. After thewar,however, heexperienced 
more failure. Notonlyhadhisbeloved nation 
lost,butrevolutionaries within Germany had
“attacked everything thatwassacred toHitler’s 
reactionary nationalism, andtheywon. ...
Thevictory oftherevolutionaries gaveHitler’s 
destructiveness itsfinalandineradicable form” 
(Fromm, 1973, p.394).
Adolf Hitler personified forFromm the
syndrome ofdecay. Ingram PublishingFinal PDF to printer