ABSTRACT

Dr. Lieberman's paper discusses the controversies over penis envy debating whether penis envy is basic or is a defense against some primary anger and longings related to the woman's wish for a baby and envy of her mother. The patient describes how because she would get out of her crib and run to the front door, the mother tied her to the crib so she could not get out. This is a powerful traumatic moment to come to know. It brings understanding that the patient's rage about not having a penis and envying her brother started much earlier in her very poor relationship with her mother. Many other aspects of the case reinforce the idea that envy of the early mother and wanting everything she has is much more the central issue than envy of the brother and penis envy.