ABSTRACT
This chapter sets 'Psychogenesis' within the context of Sigmund Freud's thought on homosexuality in general, then elaborates on certain themes within the case history, in particular those of masculinity, repudiation and countertransference. In the Three Essays Freud begins his discussion of homosexuality, both male and female, by noting how 'inverts' varied in their behaviour, their type of inversion, and their life histories. In 'Psychogenesis' he refers to the 'manifold' forms of homosexuality. In both works he emphasises the multiplicity of factors that determine inversion, and warns against forming too simple a conception of its nature and genesis, thus problematising any notion of homosexuality as a clinical entity. The chapter shows how Freud's writings about female homosexuality, especially in 'Psychogenesis', initiated many themes that were subsequently to be developed in various directions, especially those of sexual object choice and masculinity/ femininity, and heterosexual disappointment leading to a repudiation of men.
