Mother’s inside transformed into a golden grave for the triumphant child

This chapter focuses on the experience of mourning and its psychical meaning. It discusses how egocentricity, on the one hand, and projective identification, on the other hand, may hinder, and eventually prevent mourning.

The difference between being confused and feeling confused is looked into and the shift from the former to the latter is seen as a key progress. States of confusion implying feelings of omnipotence, omniscience, and triumph may prevent Sophie from both feeling confused. The gratifications of sadomasochism seem to have similar effects on the capacity for both feeling confused and mourning.