You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Psychiatrists have become increasingly aware of the necessity for a more precise understanding of the communications which occur in the psychotherapeutic process. Many clinical observations suggest that the affect and content of one's past and present life problems may in part be communicated by metaphor. The study on which the present paper is based attempts an evaluation of metaphor as encountered in the course of individual psychotherapy. A more precise formulation of metaphor theory should enhance the psychiatrist's perception of his patient's attempts at communication. Therefore, this paper will suggest a preliminary psychody-namic interpretation of metaphor.
The multiplicity of definition reflects the confusion shrouding the subject of metaphor. This was noted by Campbell (4) who stressed how scholars vary in opinion as to what constitutes metaphor. Despite these disagreements it is generally accepted that metaphor is composed of a “figurative expression” and a “literal meaning”. For example, in the metaphor “The clouds are crying” the figurative expression is “clouds are crying” and the literal meaning is that it is raining. The idea of falling water serves to connect