Interpretations couched in mythical imagery.

Abstract

Conventional guidelines favor terse, mundane, unambiguous phrasing of interpretations, and the use of fanciful interpretations is rare in psychoanalytic literature. Some theoreticians have advocated interpretations that have multiple meanings and evoke primitive sensory and emotional responses. The latter functions can be served by metaphorical and especially by mythical interpretations, and their use in analytic therapy is suggested. Mythical interpretations tend to help the patient experience and express the forbidden and irrational; they imply that the therapist has a deep understanding of the patient. These effects are attributable to the psychodynamic determinants of myths and their cultural functions. Mythical interpretations further tend to provide implicit gratification to the patient, foster regression, and influence the patient's perception of and response to the therapist. Indications for use have yet to be worked out beyond preliminary speculations, and countertransference possibilities appear substantial. All of these considerations bear on the therapist's discretionary use of mythical interpretations.