Racker, on the basis of a study of Wagner's works and life, first shows the composer's fixation in the Oedipus complex and his resultant conflicts. He then describes Wagner's pregenital conflicts and their expression in manic-depressive and paranoid processes. An attempt is made to understand, on the basis of these mechanisms, the complex character of Wagner, his vacillation between depression and aggressiveness, self-destruction and destruction of the outside world, contrition and megalomania, rebellion and submission, etc. Racker also tries to clarify the mythical obscurity of various of Wagner's works and to bring out into the open the universal conflicts and problems contained in them.

(AUTHOR'S SUMMARY)