The
Abyss of the Tortured Self: Narcissism and the Loss of the
Other
This analysis
of narcissism and the resultant breakdown of relationships begins
with a working definition, includes the myth of Narcissus, as
well as its more relevant implications, and makes a detour into
the history of narcissism's presentation on American television.
Beginning with television's profound penetration into the American
home, the project then details the shifting face of narcissism
until reality television and the construction of the reality TV
celebrity brought the viewing audience into contemporaneous times.
Once the narrative
is thoroughly awash with celebrities, a brief foray into Sigmund
Freud's description of the Superego, Ego, and Id, and the startling
findings of those who work with split brain patients, shows the
implications both structures hold for an evaluation of narcissism.
The case study
which shortly takes over the text follows a relationship from
its inception to its end, details the signs of narcissism along
the way, such as prostitution, extra-marital affairs, hypochondria,
mendaciousness, and greed, and provides a context for those interpretations.
Some time is also spent on the fellow inhabitants of the narcissist's
space, those enablers who provide the safe harbour from which
the narcissist may venture forth to have a place in this story.
|