Difference between revisions of "Fragmented body"
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| − | The '[[fragmented body]]' ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') | + | |
| − | The | + | The term '[[fragmented body]]' ([[French]]:''corps morcelé'') is introduced by [[Jacques Lacan]] in his discussion of the [[mirror stage]]. |
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| + | ==Critical Dictionary== | ||
| + | In his early paper on the [[mirror stage]] (1949), [[Lacan]] refers to the [[imago]] of the [[fragmented body]], or [[image]]s of [[castration]] and evisceration, which express the [[subject]]'s feeling that the [[body]] [[lack]]s any substantial [[unity]]. | ||
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| + | The resultant [[anxiety]] stimulates the [[subject]]'s [[identification]] with the complete [[image]] in the [[mirror]], but the [[fragmented body]] always poses a [[threat]] to its [[unity]]. | ||
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| + | According to [[Lacan]], the [[imago]] of the [[fragmented body]] reappears when the [[analysis]] touches upon or provokes the [[aggressivity]] of the [[analysand]], and its [[existence]] helps to explain [[hysteria|hysterical]] [[symptom]]s such as [[paralysis]] of the limbs and the '[[phantom limb]]' [[syndrome]] in which an amputee feels [[pain]] in a limb that has been removed. | ||
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==Mirror Stage and Ego Formation== | ==Mirror Stage and Ego Formation== | ||
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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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==Fragmentation== | ==Fragmentation== | ||
| − | + | The [[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> | |
These [[image]]s typically appear in the [[analysand]]'s [[dream]]s and associations at a particular phase in the [[treatment]] - namely, the moment when the [[analysand]]'s [[aggressivity]] emerges in the negative [[transference]]. | These [[image]]s typically appear in the [[analysand]]'s [[dream]]s 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]].<ref>Lacan, 1951b: 13</ref> | + | 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]].<ref>Lacan, 1951b: 13</ref> |
In a more general sense, the [[fragmented body]] refers not only to [[image]]s of the physical [[body]] but also to any sense of [[fragmentation]] and disunity: | In a more general sense, the [[fragmented body]] refers not only to [[image]]s of the physical [[body]] but also to any sense of [[fragmentation]] and disunity: | ||
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==Hysteria== | ==Hysteria== | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] also uses the | + | [[Lacan]] also uses the term [[fragmented body]] to explain certain typical [[symptom]]s of [[hysteria]]. |
When a [[hysteria|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'. | When a [[hysteria|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."<ref>E, 5</ref> | 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."<ref>E, 5</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Surrealism== | ||
| + | The [[image]] of the [[fragmented body]] does not derive from [[Freud]]. | ||
| + | [[Lacan]] himself compares it to the [[hallucination|hallucinatory]] [[image|imagery]] of Hieronymus Bosch; it has been suggested that Lacan's [[imago]] is influenced by Hans Bellmer's [[photograph|photographs]] of a dismembered and rearranged doll.<ref>Bowie, Malcolm. ''Lacan''. London: Fontana, 1991.</ref> | ||
| + | They are inspired by the artist's sexual obsession with a young girl and appeared in a surrealist journal to which Lacan contributed. | ||
| + | Bowie's suggestion is therefore highly plausible, and provides a reminder of Lacan's debt to [[surrealism]]. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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[[Category:Imaginary]] | [[Category:Imaginary]] | ||
[[Category:Ego]] | [[Category:Ego]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
Revision as of 10:45, 19 June 2006
The term 'fragmented body' (French:corps morcelé) is introduced by Jacques Lacan in his discussion of the mirror stage.
Contents
Critical Dictionary
In his early paper on the mirror stage (1949), Lacan refers to the imago of the fragmented body, or images of castration and evisceration, which express the subject's feeling that the body lacks any substantial unity.
The resultant anxiety stimulates the subject's identification with the complete image in the mirror, but the fragmented body always poses a threat to its unity.
According to Lacan, the imago of the fragmented body reappears when the analysis touches upon or provokes the aggressivity of the analysand, and its existence helps to explain hysterical symptoms such as paralysis of the limbs and the 'phantom limb' syndrome in which an amputee feels pain in a limb that has been removed.
Mirror Stage and Ego Formation
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
The 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 term 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]
Surrealism
The image of the fragmented body does not derive from Freud. Lacan himself compares it to the hallucinatory imagery of Hieronymus Bosch; it has been suggested that Lacan's imago is influenced by Hans Bellmer's photographs of a dismembered and rearranged doll.[5] They are inspired by the artist's sexual obsession with a young girl and appeared in a surrealist journal to which Lacan contributed. Bowie's suggestion is therefore highly plausible, and provides a reminder of Lacan's debt to surrealism.
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
- ↑ Bowie, Malcolm. Lacan. London: Fontana, 1991.
