Notes on the father in theory and in technique, Ignazio Cannas

This paper examines some usages of the term 'father', the concepts of formation of the father representation, of symbolic function and of real presence of the father; the author considers it useful to keep them distinct so that they may lead to a greater understanding both in the theroetical field and in technique. As an example, the author quotes part of the analysis of a serious borderline patient whose father had committed suicide, in order to show the levels of failure of the paternal function and certain problems of technique regarding their importance in handling the setting, including the mental functioning of the analyst, the transference and the interpretation.