Difference between revisions of "Paternal metaphor"

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{{Top}}métaphore paternelle{{Bottom}}
 
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==Paternity and Metaphor==
 
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[[Image:Lacan-paternalmetaphor.jpg|center]]
 
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When, in 1956, [[Lacan]] first begins to discuss the tropes of [[metaphor]] and [[metonymy]] in detail, the example he takes to illustrate the structure of [[metaphor]] is a line from [[Victor Hugo]]'s [[poem]], [[Booz endormi]].<ref>Hugo, 1859-83: 97-9</ref>
 
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This [[poem]] retells the [[biblical]] story of Ruth and Boaz; while Ruth sleeps at his feet, Boaz dreams that a tree grows out of his stomach, a revelation that he is to be the founder of a race.
 
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In the line which [[Lacan]] quotes - "His sheaf was neither miserly  nor spiteful" - the [[metaphoric]] [[substitution]] of "sheaf" for "Boaz" produces a poetic effect of [[signification]].<ref>{{S3}} p. 218-25; {{S4}} p. 377-8; {{E}} p. 156-8; {{S8}} p. 158-9</ref>
 
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[[Paternity]] is thus both the theme of the [[poem]] (its [[content]]) and also inherent in the [[structure]] of [[metaphor]] itself.
 
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All [[paternity]] involves [[metaphor]]ic [[substitution]], and vice versa.
 
  
 
==Paternal Metaphor==
 
==Paternal Metaphor==
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In 1958, he goes on to elaborate the [[structure]] of this [[metaphor]]; it involves the [[substitution]] of one [[signifier]] (the [[Name-of-the-Father]]) for another (the [[desire]] of the [[mother]]).<ref>{{E}} p.200</ref>
 
In 1958, he goes on to elaborate the [[structure]] of this [[metaphor]]; it involves the [[substitution]] of one [[signifier]] (the [[Name-of-the-Father]]) for another (the [[desire]] of the [[mother]]).<ref>{{E}} p.200</ref>
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[[Image:Lacan-paternalmetaphor.jpg|center]]
  
 
The [[paternal metaphor]] thus designates the [[metaphorical]] (i.e. substitutive) character of the [[oedipus complex]] itself.  
 
The [[paternal metaphor]] thus designates the [[metaphorical]] (i.e. substitutive) character of the [[oedipus complex]] itself.  

Revision as of 22:39, 4 October 2006

French: métaphore paternelle

Paternal Metaphor

The phrase "paternal metaphor" is introduced by Lacan in 1957.[1]

In 1958, he goes on to elaborate the structure of this metaphor; it involves the substitution of one signifier (the Name-of-the-Father) for another (the desire of the mother).[2]

Lacan-paternalmetaphor.jpg

The paternal metaphor thus designates the metaphorical (i.e. substitutive) character of the oedipus complex itself.

It is the fundamental metaphor on which all signification depends: for this reason, all signification is phallic.

If the Name-of-the-Father is foreclosed (i.e. in psychosis), there can be no paternal metaphor, and hence no phallic signification.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 379
  2. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.200


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