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This new book by Massimo Recalcati focuses on the psycho-social life of the son. Comparing and contrasting the tragic story of Oedipus by Sophocles and the parable of the prodigal son, Recalcati argues that all common parenting strategies, whether authoritarian or democratic, are attempts at sealing the fate of sons - that is, they are designed to ensure that sons realize the dreams and fantasies of the parents. But all that sons want - and this is their secret because they generally do not want, or are unable, to confront their parents directly - is to be recognized as unique, as different, as independent, free-thinking individuals who are able to chart their own path in life, rather than extensions of their parents' fantasies. The parents' task is to acknowledge this, and to create the space for this desire to flourish.
Continuing his remarkable reflections on parents, children and family life, this new book by one of Italy's leading and bestselling public intellectuals will be of interest to a wide general readership.
List of contents
Part One
1 Oedipus: The Son of Guilt The Child's Condition
The Word and Language
The Slave-Messenger
Oedipus, The Son
The Innocent-Guilty
Infanticide
Violence Without Law
A Tragedy of Light
Nemesis
'You Are the Curse, the Corruption of this Land'
Oedipus and Hamlet
Descending into the Grave
How Much Truth Can One Man Bear?
Notes
Part Two 2 The Prodigal Son The Rain
Another Son to Bend the Law of Destiny
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
'Give Me My Share of the Estate!'
A Bad Interpretation of the Law
Isaac the Son
The Father's Gift and the Celebration of Rediscovery
The Son's Return
The Chance For a New Life
Rembrandt's Portrait
The Rightful Son
Freud on the Acropolis
The Resurrection of Life
The Scar that Becomes a Poem
Notes
Epilogue
About the author
Massimo Recalcati is a bestselling author and psychoanalyst who teaches at the universities of Pavia and Verona.
Summary
This new book by Massimo Recalcati focuses on the psycho-social life of the son. Comparing and contrasting the tragic story of Oedipus by Sophocles and the parable of the prodigal son, Recalcati argues that all common parenting strategies, whether authoritarian or democratic, are attempts at sealing the fate of sons - that is, they are designed to ensure that sons realize the dreams and fantasies of the parents. But all that sons want - and this is their secret because they generally do not want, or are unable, to confront their parents directly - is to be recognized as unique, as different, as independent, free-thinking individuals who are able to chart their own path in life, rather than extensions of their parents' fantasies. The parents' task is to acknowledge this, and to create the space for this desire to flourish.
Continuing his remarkable reflections on parents, children and family life, this new book by one of Italy's leading and bestselling public intellectuals will be of interest to a wide general readership.
