Jealousy and Envy: New Views about Two Powerful Feelings

229 Pages·2007·2.52 MB·English

by  Léon Wurmser

Advance praise for Jealousy and Envy
“This book’s quite extraordinary accomplishment derives from two factors. The
authors’ editing and careful explication provide a coherent overview on the top-
ics of envy and jealousy by defining these strong feelings thoroughly, and also
differentiating them from other feelings like shame and admiration. In addition,
this book helps clinicians to widen the perspective on the dynamics of envy and
jealousy. Understanding both feelings in the context of oedipal and/or preoedipal
conflicts enriches psychoanalytic theory and practice. This valuable book shows a
great breadth of theoretical and clinical issues around envy and jealousy.”
— Manfred Cierpka, M.D., Director of the Institute for Family Therapy,
University of Heidelberg
“It is not easy to comment on this rich and profound work, which deepens and
enriches our understanding of two central motives and affects almost ever-pres-
ent in our daily analytic and psychotherapeutic work, but there are three points
which, above many other in this book, exert a lasting impression on me and will
surely influence my understanding of these motivations and my clinical work
profoundly: the understanding of envy and jealousy not as entities and last causes
not to be further explored in their origin, but as processes; the fundamental role
of shame in these processes; and the fundamental role of traumatic experiences
in the development of both jealousy and envy. Especially in the contributions of
the editors and main authors of this monograph, the profound psychoanalytic,
developmental, and historical investigations are enlarged and explained by trans-
parently described case-material without any obscuring overload of conceptual
interpretations, which are too often found in other contemporary psychoanalytic
or psychodynamic accounts. A particular merit of this book is the broad inclusion
of a sociocultural and gender perspective by literature (Othello), examination of
sacrifice rituals, womb envy, and especially the scrutiny on the “Evil Eye.” It is not
difficult to predict that this book will inspire many readers in their clinical work
as well as more research on the many facets of the discussed phenomena.”
— Günter Reich, Ph.D., Department for Psychosomatic Medicine
and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen
“Envy and jealousy, demons that inhabit the human breast and ingredients in
numerous plots in film, literature, and the theater, are frequent problems in peo-
ple who seek therapy. In this timely and very readable book, editors Wurmser
and Jarass and contributors offer a wealth of experience, information and wisdom
which should be of interest to both the professional and general reading public.”
— Zvi Lothane, M.D., Author, In Defense of Schreber: Soul Murder
and Psychiatry (Analytic Press, 1992)
“Léon Wurmser has once more taken psychoanalysts into areas of pain and mad-
ness usually avoided. In previous work he confronted us with issues of shame, of
sadomasochism, of tyrannical superego functioning, and now, with his colleague
Heidrun Jarass, he challenges us to face the devastating experiences of jealousy
and envy. With the participation of an impressive group of international experts,
the editors help us reclaim the crucial importance of jealousy and envy in our
theory and clinical work. This book is essential reading for all thoughtful stu-
dents of human behavior.”
— Jack Novick, Ph.D., Co-author, Fearful Symmetry and Good Goodbyes
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Psychoanalytic Inquiry
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Systems—Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann & James L. Fosshage
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Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood & Robert D. Stolorow
Vol. 18: Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns: A Comparative Study of Self and
Relationship—Judith Guss Teicholz
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Vol. 20: Craft and Spirit: A Guide to the Exploratory Psychotherapies—
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Fredric N. Busch and Larry S. Sandberg
Vol. 23: Trauma and Human Existence: Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, and
Philosophical Reflections—Robert D. Stolorow
Vol. 24: Jealousy and Envy: New Views about Two Powerful Emotions—
Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass
Vol. 25: Sensuality and Sexuality Across the Divide of Shame—
Joseph D. Lichtenberg
ER3470X.indb 2 7/17/07 10:54:32 AM
Jealousy
Envy
and
Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series
Volume 24
ER3470X.indb 3 7/17/07 10:54:32 AM
ER3470X.indb 4 7/17/07 10:54:32 AM
Jealousy
Envy
and
New Views about Two Powerful Feelings
Edited by
Léon Wurmser and Heidrun Jarass
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This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2011.
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Jealousy and envy : new views about two powerful emotions / edited by Leon Wurmser
and Heidrun Jarass.
p. cm. ‑‑ (Psychoanalytic inquiry book series ; no. 24)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN‑13: 978‑0‑88163‑470‑9 (alk. paper)
1. Jealousy. 2. Envy. I. Wurmser, Leon. II. Jarass, Heidrun.
BF575.J4J43 2007
152.4’8‑‑dc22 2007015025
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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and The Analytic Press Web site at
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ISBN 0-203-83782-7 Master e-book ISBN
Contents
Foreword ix
Anne-Marie Sandler
Introduction xi
Léon Wurmser and Heidrun Jarass
Editors xxi
Contributors xxiii
1 Pathological Jealousy: The Perversion of Love 1
Léon Wurmser and Heidrun Jarass
2 Jealousy and Envy in Othello: Psychoanalytic Reflections
on the Rivalrous Emotions 25
Melvin R. Lansky
3 Toward an Understanding of Womb Envy: Developmental
and Clinical Perspectives 49
Cheryl L. Eschbach
4 Of Woman Born: Womb Envy and the Male Project
of Self-Creation 75
Peter Shabad
5 “The Burned Hedgehog Skin”: Father’s Envy and Resentment
Against Women Perpetuated in the Daughter’s Superego 91
Heidrun Jarass and Léon Wurmser
6 Envy of Maternal Functions in Sacrifice Rituals 117
Naomi H. Janowitz
vii
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viii Contents
7 The Evil Eye, Envy, and Shame: On Emotions and Explanation 129
Benjamin Kilborne
8 “Evil Eye” and “Searing Look”: Jealousy, Envy, and Shame
in the Magic Gaze 149
Heidrun Jarass and Léon Wurmser
9 Shame and Envy 179
Andrew P. Morrison and Melvin R. Lansky
10 Envy and Admiration Among Women 189
Rosemary H. Balsam
Index 199
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Foreword
Anne-MArie SAndler
When the two main authors of this monograph invited me to add a few
lines to this publication, I was especially pleased, as I felt that a serious
study of the topic of jealousy and envy was greatly overdue. This neglect
seemed surprising in view of the very central role that jealousy and envy
play in mental life.
It is interesting to notice that in the work of Freud, jealousy is referred
to quite often and generally in connection with the oedipal situation and
with conflicts around siblings. Envy, on the other hand, is more sparingly
mentioned in the writings of Freud and if so, mostly linked with the idea
of penis envy. This has greatly changed since Melanie Klein brought in
her concept of primary envy of the good breast. This has awakened a gen-
eral interest in the role of envy in our inner life, whether we believe in
primary envy or not.
It is important and fruitful to clearly delineate the differences between
envy and jealousy. The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of jealousy
implies a resentfulness toward another on account of known or suspected
rivalry; troubled by the belief, suspicion, or fear that the good that one
desires to gain or keep for oneself had been or may be diverted to another;
resentfulness toward another on account of known or suspected rivalry,
for example in love and affection, especially in sexual love. It is interesting
that jealousy is also defined as intolerant of unfaithfulness, solicitous for
preservation of rights, vehement in wrath, desire, or devotion. This last
meaning seems to involve passion and a certain belief in and reliance on
justice and loyalty.
The meaning of envy is rather different. The definition speaks of grudg-
ing contemplation of more fortunate persons, of people with advantages;
envy is related to invidere, to look upon in a bad sense; malice, enmity; mor-
tification, and ill will occasioned by the contemplation of another’s superior
advantages. Also in a more neutral sense, to wish oneself on a level with
another in some respect, or possessed of something that another has.
These definitions help us to reflect on the rather different place these
two strong feelings occupy in our mental apparatus. Envy refers to grudg-
ing, malice, and enmity in the face of someone else’s advantages and
appears to be linked with strong personal feelings of offense and hurt.
ix
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