ABSTRACT
The harmonious relation is but short-lived, the traumatic discovery that vitally important parts of it are both independent and inscrutable creates a structure, and from then the world will consist of firm and resistant objects and of spaces separating them. Most of the experiences met in the analytic situations belong to pre-verbal—infantile or regressed—states. One important factor is fear, forcing the patient away from the analyst; another defiance, 'not taking things lying down'; a third, curiosity; a fourth, naughtily testing out the analyst's tolerance, and so on. Objects are skilfully and carefully avoided, while constant watch is kept on them, especially on the most hazardous object, the analyst. The analyst should not be an entity in his own right, with his own ideas, clever suggestions, and profound interpretations, in fact not a separate sharply contoured object at all; but should merge as completely as possible into the 'friendly expanses' surrounding the patient.
