Ronny Jaffé: Notes on the sibling complex Between Narcissus and Oedipus

There are really significant connections between sibling complex, narcissism and Oedipal conflict, which I will try to illustrate in this paper.

The sibling complex actually seems to presuppose an object relationship with the other –the sibling – and therefore a separation from narcissism, yet, as various authors argue, beginning with Kaes and Kanciper, we notice that there are powerful overlaps between narcissism and sibling complex.

On one hand, it is true that the sibling complex does imply a conflict dimension in which triadic and Oedipal elements are at stake, on the other hand it is as true that fantasies of a perfect brotherhood, excited by an imaginary twin-birth rooted in a mirror-like narcissism, do exist, in an extreme pursuit aimed at finding in one’s life the other identical to oneself and at avoiding or not tolerating differences.

I will try to show, through Elisa’s case, the connections between this theoretical background and the way I dealt with the sibling complex in the analytical relationship.

Key words: Co-generational and parental space – analyst’s sibling function – imaginary-twin

intersections with Oedipus and Narcissus – sibling complex

Vissza az előzőre