La passion maternelle : l’énigme de l’évidence

Abstract

Starting from a counter-transferential impression, the author cathects the topic of maternal preoccupation while leaning on the frame set by Green’s and Winnicott’s initial formulations. Within that range the maternal preoccupation has been presented under various labels, such as madness, instinct, spirit. The main thesis of the article holds that the maternal preoccupation becomes a passion to be experienced smoothly as a general adaptation syndrome of early motherhood. Passion is taken here as an internal state affectingthe mother to bind her to her newborn and appoint her to a specific task. Three elements of that passion are noted: withdrawal, hypersensitivity, selfabnegation. Some paradoxical dispositions of that state are identified like the stirring of opposite tendencies, within the mother and in her relationship with the newborn. These features lead to the presentation and discussion of three dynamic aspects: the bisexual attitude, the narcissistic support, andthe regressive risk. The bisexual attitude is to be found within the maternal preoccupation as such, not only as opposite to the erotic female. The narcissistic support comes from twin aspects of the object relation with the child, often viewed as a work of art. The regressive risk comes from the primary inadequacy of the maternal attitude as the identification with the baby is skewed by the mother’s fantasy. Finally, some outcomes of the maternal attitude are sketched, either as evolving gradually or as remnants, as shown forexample by madame de Sévigné.