The Object Relation - The Seminar of Jacques Lacan Book IV

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The unfulfilled mother, central to the child's ascent in narcissism, embodies a real presence in search of what she can consume. The child, once finding solace in her, may now face the danger of being devoured, a theme echoed in our fantasies and illustrated through the fears of Little Hans. This exploration reveals the intricate connections between phobia and perversion, suggesting that one may interpret these dynamics more insightfully than Freud himself. Castration relates equally to both mother and father, as seen in the primordial situation where maternal castration introduces the child to the threats of devoration and biting. In this context, paternal castration serves merely as a substitute for the deeper maternal implications. In Little Hans's case, a pivotal transformation occurs: the shift from the act of biting to the act of unscrewing the bathtub. This change signifies a crucial difference in the dynamics between the child and the mother. The fear of biting the mother and the horse's biting becomes distinct from the act of unscrewing, which involves the mother as an active participant in the child's exploration. This transformation marks her integration into the child's broader system, highlighting her role as a mobile and equivalent element within it.