CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE CASE OF LITTLE H ANS - THE LAW OF CREASING -A CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELEVANCE OF THE OEDIPUS COMPLEX

The author suggests to read the case of Little Hans under the point of view of (temporarily impaired) symbolization. The case story is seen as a record of dialogues between father and son speaking and writing a bout mother as a desirable object. Freud's role is to be addressee and witness of this process of building up a ''semiotic triade'' (Peirce) . This framework allows Hans to articulate his wishes and, particularl y, his destructive impulses without danger for his real objects. Insof ar Hans achieves to articulate and represent his wishes and fears verb ally and by symbolic play his anxiety diminishes. This point is shown by interpreting some examples of the dialogues. The phantasy about the big and the ''creased'' giraffe is placed into the centre of the inte rpretation. Dealing with Freud's interventions, the involvement in con flict and guilt as an inevitable consequence of desire is emphasized. The acknowledgement of this inevitable involvement and its resolution by the means of symbolization is seen as an essential part of the oedi pal complex.