Graham S. Clarke

An Introduction to Fairbairn’s Psychology of Dynamic Structure: The Analysis of Cultural Objects describes W. R. D. Fairbairn’s model of endopsychic structure and includes his thoughts on the social and the aesthetic. It offers a modified version of Fairbairn’s model based upon his thinking about the moral defence, psychic growth, and mature dependence. The model is brought to life by its application to the analysis of a number of cultural objects: Bronzino’s An Allegory of Venus and Cupid, Dennis Potter’s trailblazing miniseries The Singing Detective, the enchanting anime Spirited Away directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and the mind-bending cinematic experience that is Everything Everywhere All at Once. Author Graham S. Clarke also considers the current conditions affecting psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic theories: a society with increasing opposition to depth thinking of any sort and the rise of populism and the neoliberal notion of the ‘self as entrepreneur’. He offers suggestions as to how these trends might be understood and challenged. In particular, he describes how Fairbairn’s theory might be considered as, and provide a basis for, a critical realist personal relations approach to psychoanalysis. This book is ideal reading for all psychoanalysts and those interested in the cultural impact of the arts.

The American Dream and American Cinema in the Age of Trump uses both film theory and insights from object relations theory in order to examine how recent films address and reflect the state of the ‘American Dream’. This fascinating book looks at how the American Dream is one of the organising ideas of American cinema, and one of the most influential cultural outputs of the twenty-first century, at a time of internal crisis.In an era characterised by populism, climate change and economic uncertainty, the book considers nine auteur films in how they illustrate the challenges of contemporary America. Graham S. Clarke and Ross Clarke present a bifocal perspective on some of the most well-received American films of recent years and how they relate to the American Dream in the context of the Trump presidency. For each of the nine films discussed, two different accounts are presented side by side so that each film is considered from an object relations psychoanalytic point of view (internal world) as well as a film and cultural theory perspective (external world). This unique approach is complemented by discussion of political and critical theory, providing a thorough and engaging analysis.Challenging and insightful, The American Dream and American Cinema in the Age of Trump will be of great interest to scholars of cinema, popular culture, American studies and psychoanalytic studies.

The American Dream and American Cinema in the Age of Trump uses both film theory and insights from object relations theory in order to examine how recent films address and reflect the state of the ‘American Dream’. This fascinating book looks at how the American Dream is one of the organising ideas of American cinema, and one of the most influential cultural outputs of the twenty-first century, at a time of internal crisis.In an era characterised by populism, climate change and economic uncertainty, the book considers nine auteur films in how they illustrate the challenges of contemporary America. Graham S. Clarke and Ross Clarke present a bifocal perspective on some of the most well-received American films of recent years and how they relate to the American Dream in the context of the Trump presidency. For each of the nine films discussed, two different accounts are presented side by side so that each film is considered from an object relations psychoanalytic point of view (internal world) as well as a film and cultural theory perspective (external world). This unique approach is complemented by discussion of political and critical theory, providing a thorough and engaging analysis.Challenging and insightful, The American Dream and American Cinema in the Age of Trump will be of great interest to scholars of cinema, popular culture, American studies and psychoanalytic studies.

Thinking through Fairbairn offers parallel perspectives on Fairbairn's work. It explores an extended interpretation of his 'psychology of dynamic structure' and applies that model to a number of different areas. Fairbairn's Scottish origins are explored through his relationship with the work of Ian Suttie and Edward Glover. A new extended object relations model of phantasy and inner reality that reflects Fairbairn's approach as represented by his contribution to the Controversial Discussions is also developed. In cooperation with Paul Finnegan, this version of Fairbairn's model is applied to an understanding of multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder. This model is combined with Fairbairn's theory of art to provide an understanding of some 'puzzle' films based in trauma and dissociation. Fairbairn's theory is presented here as a synthesis of classical and relational approaches, and his appropriation by relational theorists as a precursor to exclusively relational approaches challenged.

Personal relationships concern us all, they are essential to our becoming who we are and constitute our most vital experience of what it is like to be alive and human. This book proposes a new approach to understanding who we are based on the work of Ronald Fairbairn, John Macmurray and Ian Suttie, whose ideas provide a positive perspective on our future collective possibilities.Personal Relations Theory presents a new and comprehensive account of Fairbairn's mature theory. Part I provides a thorough overview of Fairbairn's work and its ramifications for our understanding of creativity and the nature of inner reality. Part II covers Fairbairn's relationship to Macmurray and Suttie, and their relevance to realist philosophy, the scientific status of psychoanalysis, attachment theory and the politics of the personal relations view point. Subjects discussed in depth include: Internal objects and inner reality: Fairbairn and Klein Fairbairn's theory of art in the light of his mature model of mind The preconscious and psychic change in Fairbairn's model of mind The politics of attachment theory and personal relations theory: Fairbairn, Suttie and Bowlby The combination of Fairbairn, Macmurray and Suttie presented here forms an original strand of object relations theory, which has implications and consequences for a wide spectrum of concerns. This book will be of value to anyone interested in psychoanalysis, especially in relation to politics, society and the arts.

Personal relationships concern us all, they are essential to our becoming who we are and constitute our most vital experience of what it is like to be alive and human. This book proposes a new approach to understanding who we are based on the work of Ronald Fairbairn, John Macmurray and Ian Suttie, whose ideas provide a positive perspective on our future collective possibilities.Personal Relations Theory presents a new and comprehensive account of Fairbairn's mature theory. Part I provides a thorough overview of Fairbairn's work and its ramifications for our understanding of creativity and the nature of inner reality. Part II covers Fairbairn's relationship to Macmurray and Suttie, and their relevance to realist philosophy, the scientific status of psychoanalysis, attachment theory and the politics of the personal relations view point. Subjects discussed in depth include: Internal objects and inner reality: Fairbairn and Klein Fairbairn's theory of art in the light of his mature model of mind The preconscious and psychic change in Fairbairn's model of mind The politics of attachment theory and personal relations theory: Fairbairn, Suttie and Bowlby The combination of Fairbairn, Macmurray and Suttie presented here forms an original strand of object relations theory, which has implications and consequences for a wide spectrum of concerns. This book will be of value to anyone interested in psychoanalysis, especially in relation to politics, society and the arts.