Unpacking the Psychology of Mourning: A Theoretical Guide

In this groundbreaking book, Rael Meyerowitz boldly brings together the disciplines of psychoanalysis and literary studies to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding loss and the human experience of mourning.

Through a unique lens of bodily digestion and metabolization, Meyerowitz conceptualizes the process of psychic internalization required by loss, highlighting the consequences of successful and failed mourning. By drawing parallels between the proper processing of physical sustenance and the psychological processing of loss, Meyerowitz sheds light on the intricacies of melancholia, mania, depression, and anxiety.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Psychoanalytic Theory

Meyerowitz’s work is deeply grounded in the methodology of literary criticism, delving into a range of psychoanalytic works by renowned thinkers such as Freud, Ferenczi, Karl Abraham, Klein, Loewald, Torok, Nicolas Abraham, and Green. The book also undertakes a nuanced examination of select literary works, including those by William Faulkner, Wallace Stevens, and Sylvia Plath, to provide a rich tapestry of perspectives on mourning and loss.

A Valuable Resource for Clinicians and Scholars Alike

Designed to engage clinicians, scholars, and students of psychoanalytic theory and language, this book offers a close-reading format that enables readers to delve deeply into central texts and key concepts in psychoanalysis. With its detailed treatment of themes and theoretical frameworks, this book is an indispensable resource for those seeking a profound understanding of the human experience of mourning and loss.

Publisher: Routledge
Edition: 1st edition (November 30, 2022)
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 444
ISBN-10: 1032210788
ISBN-13: 978-1032210780