ABSTRACT
The work of interpretation, the art of interpretation, has repeatedly been made a focus of discussion. In W. R. Bion's work psychoanalytic interpretations are termed transformations'. This chapter discusses meaning and the creation of meaning that takes place in the framework of a psychoanalytic process, and considers some points as to the past and present reality from which they stem. In working with a psychotic patient who constantly signals his sense of catastrophe without being capable of symbolizing it, Bion sees his task as doing this for him. The psychoanalytic setting and the strict abstinence of the analyst encourage a regression on the part of the analysand and so create a dependence. Obviously if psychoanalytic process were always supported throughout by a strong positive transference that might even take on the character of sexually motivated, slave-like obedience, then the danger of indoctrination of the analysand would be very great.
