|
During the many long months of analysis, The Patient reveals a frightening past. He was the only child in a marriage that was created because of his conception. His father was a butcher and hated him, often hitting him. The Patient tells The Doctor he would never cry after being beaten by his father because he did not want to be weak like his mother. She spent her time in bed, sick and depressed because of her loveless marriage, and made her son the sole object of her affections.
The Patient was alienated by other children in his neighborhood because of his fathers
publically drunken escapades. These would also involve other women, who he would bring home from bars in front of The Patients mother, torturing her. Witnessing her pain, the patient felt responsible for his mothers happiness but admits he never felt sorry for her, because she was weak. The Patient also had a strong disrespect for authority as a child, but at the same time had a quick mind and did well in school. Not having friends, The Patient regarded this as being "special". He daydreamed and had
fantasies, including having an imaginary friend who he treated as his father treated him. He also fantasized of killing his mother.
The Patient often would work for his father in his butcher shop as a cashier despite his intense fear of blood. His father knew his fear and would taunt him with it. In one frightening episode, his vicious father attacked The Patient with a piece of raw calf liver. The Patient left home at 15 years of age and never returned, living in the streets.
To Page Five
|
