ABSTRACT
In this paper, which is central to the treatment of all patients whose problems lie “beyond neurosis”, Green offers a deep re-examination of the problem of the archaic dimension of the psyche and transference. In so doing, he proposes a contemporary alternative perspective to the Kleinian conceptualization of archaic object relations. Green's formulation describes the archaic as a particular kind of psychic functioning related to primary narcissism, which is determined by the ego's insufficient consistency and differentiation from both Id and object. In contrast to a genetic or developmental perspective, he asserts an “afterwards (aprés coup) strategy” based upon the role of the superego within the analytic relationship. His introduction of the concept of “primary anality”, which he found key to understanding and treating borderline pathology, defines the originality of this paper.
