A seminal work on one of the most neglected topics in psychoanalysis, that of affect. Originally published in French as Le Discours Vivant, it is considered a classic in the psychoanalytic world.

Originally published in French as "Le Discours Vivant", and considered a classic in the psychoanalytic world, this text presents a study of one of the most neglected topics in psychoanalysis, that of affect. The book is structured into three parts: affect within psychoanalytic literature; the clinical practice of psychoanalysis - structure and progress; and theoretical study - affect, language and discourse, and negative hallucination. This book seeks to connect theory to both culture and clinical practice, and should appeal not only to psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, but also to those involved in cultural studies.

Introduction. Part I: Affect in the Psychoanalytic Literature. Affect in Freud's Work. An Overall View of the Psychoanalytic Literature Since Freud. Part II: Clinical Practice in Psychoanalysis: Structures and Processes. Affect in Clinical Structures. Affect, the Psychoanalytic Process and the Oedipus Complex. Part III: Theoretical Study: Affect, Language and Discourse: Negative Hallucination. Affect and the Two Topographical Models. Draft for a Theoretical Model: The Process. Conclusion.