The role of conflictual elements in the genesis of a new theory and in relation to the use of theory in a psychoanalytic controversy will be explored in two “case” studies. In the first, a close reading of Kohut's “The Two Analyses of Mr. Z” and in the second, a detailed examination of Glover's shifting allegiances toward Kleinian theory will reflect the role of transference and of idealization as powerful motivating elements.