Difference between revisions of "Fragmented body"
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fragmented body ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') | fragmented body ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') | ||
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| − | The notion of the [[fragmented body]] is one of the earliest original concepts to appear in [[Lacan]]'s work | + | The '[[fragmented body]]' ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') refers to a concept developed by [[Jacques Lacan]] in his early work. |
| + | The notion of the '[[fragmented body]]' ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') is one of the earliest original [[:Category:Concepts|concepts]] to appear in [[Lacan]]'s work. | ||
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| + | ==Mirror Stage and Ego Formation== | ||
| + | The '[[fragmented body]]' is closely linked to the concept of the [[mirror stage]]. | ||
In the [[mirror stage]] the [[infant]] sees its [[reflection]] in the [[mirror]] as a [[whole]]/[[synthesis]], and this [[perception]] causes, by contrast, the [[perception]] of its own [[body]] (which [[lack]]s [[motor coordination]] at this [[stage]]) as [[division|divided]] and [[fragmentation|fragmented]]. | In the [[mirror stage]] the [[infant]] sees its [[reflection]] in the [[mirror]] as a [[whole]]/[[synthesis]], and this [[perception]] causes, by contrast, the [[perception]] of its own [[body]] (which [[lack]]s [[motor coordination]] at this [[stage]]) as [[division|divided]] and [[fragmentation|fragmented]]. | ||
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The [[anxiety]] provoked by this feeling of [[fragmentation]] fuels the [[identification]] with the [[specular image]] by which the [[ego]] is [[formation|formed]]. | The [[anxiety]] provoked by this feeling of [[fragmentation]] fuels the [[identification]] with the [[specular image]] by which the [[ego]] is [[formation|formed]]. | ||
| + | ==Fragmentation== | ||
However, the anticipation of a [[synthesis|synthetic]] [[ego]] is henceforth constantly threatened by the [[memory]] of this sense of [[fragmentation]], which manifests itself in "images of castration, emasculation, mutilation, dismemberment, dislocation, evisceration, devouring, bursting open of the body" which haunt the human imagination.<ref>{{E}} p.11</ref> | However, the anticipation of a [[synthesis|synthetic]] [[ego]] is henceforth constantly threatened by the [[memory]] of this sense of [[fragmentation]], which manifests itself in "images of castration, emasculation, mutilation, dismemberment, dislocation, evisceration, devouring, bursting open of the body" which haunt the human imagination.<ref>{{E}} p.11</ref> | ||
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Any such sense of disunity threatens the [[illusion]] of [[synthesis]] which constitutes the [[ego]]. | Any such sense of disunity threatens the [[illusion]] of [[synthesis]] which constitutes the [[ego]]. | ||
| + | ==Hysteria== | ||
[[Lacan]] also uses the idea of the [[fragmented body]] to explain certain typical [[symptom]]s of [[hysteria]]. | [[Lacan]] also uses the idea of the [[fragmented body]] to explain certain typical [[symptom]]s of [[hysteria]]. | ||
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* [[imaginary]] | * [[imaginary]] | ||
* [[transference]] | * [[transference]] | ||
| + | * [[hysteria]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Imaginary]] | [[Category:Imaginary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Ego]] | ||
Revision as of 14:17, 18 June 2006
fragmented body (French:corps morcelé)
The 'fragmented body' (French:corps morcelé) refers to a concept developed by Jacques Lacan in his early work. The notion of the 'fragmented body' (French:corps morcelé) is one of the earliest original concepts to appear in Lacan's work.
Mirror Stage and Ego Formation
The 'fragmented body' is closely linked to the concept of the mirror stage.
In the mirror stage the infant sees its reflection in the mirror as a whole/synthesis, and this perception causes, by contrast, the perception of its own body (which lacks motor coordination at this stage) as divided and fragmented.
The anxiety provoked by this feeling of fragmentation fuels the identification with the specular image by which the ego is formed.
Fragmentation
However, the anticipation of a synthetic ego is henceforth constantly threatened by the memory of this sense of fragmentation, which manifests itself in "images of castration, emasculation, mutilation, dismemberment, dislocation, evisceration, devouring, bursting open of the body" which haunt the human imagination.[1]
These images typically appear in the analysand's dreams and associations at a particular phase in the treatment - namely, the moment when the analysand's aggressivity emerges in the negative transference.
This moment is an important early sign that the treatment is progressing in the right direction, i.e. towards the disintegration of the rigid unity of the ego.[2]
In a more general sense, the fragmented body refers not only to images of the physical body but also to any sense of fragmentation and disunity:
"He [the subject] is originally an inchoate collection of desires - there you have the true sense of the expression fragmented body."[3]
Any such sense of disunity threatens the illusion of synthesis which constitutes the ego.
Hysteria
Lacan also uses the idea of the fragmented body to explain certain typical symptoms of hysteria.
When a hysterical paralysis affects a limb, it does not respect the physiological structure of the nervous system, but instead reflects the way the body is divided up by an 'imaginary anatomy'.
In this way, the fragmented body is "revealed at the organic level, in the lines of fragilization that define the anatomy of phantasy, as exhibited in the schizoid and spasmodic symptoms of hysteria."[4]
See Also
- mirror stage
- body
- lack
- fragmentation
- anxiety
- specular image
- ego
- aggressivity
- illusion
- imaginary
- transference
- hysteria
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.11
- ↑ Lacan, 1951b: 13
- ↑ S3, 39
- ↑ E, 5
