Year: 1999 Source: Psychoanalytic Review, vol.86, no.3, (June 1999), p.383-401 SIEC No: 20020466

This article explores narcissistic repercussions of bereavement. After describing how death inflicts multiple injuries to the self, it discusses how creative products may serve as self-restoration. Poetic works by James Tate & Sylvia Plath are analyzed in detail to illustrate both the damage to the self & its attempted repair. Just as the narcissistic as opposed to object aspects of loss will be highlighted, so will the narcissistic as opposed to object functions of creativity be considered. (36 refs)