The Libary paraethos contact us
The danger involved here is not that of the subject's negative reaction, but rather that of his capture in an objectification—no less imaginary than before —of his static state or of his 'statue', in a renewed status of his alienation.

Ecrits by Jacques Lacan

For the function of language is not to inform but to invoke.

What I seek in speech is the response of the other. What constitutes me as subject is my question. In order to be recognized by the other, I utter what was only in view of what will be. In order to find him, I call him by a name that he must assume or refuse in order to reply to me.

I identify myself in language, but only by losing myself in it like an object. What is realized in my history is not the past definite of what was, since it is no more, or even the present perfect of what has been in what I am, but the future anterior of what I shall have been for what I am in the process of becoming.

About the Author

Lacan Online
Jacques Lacan Selected Works
Lacan dot com
Who is Jacques Lacan?

Cross-References

Lacan's approach to language and the unconscious rejuvenated psychoanalysis as a tool of critical theory and breathed new life into Freud. His playful engagement with language appealed not only to the Surrealists such as Breton and Aragon, but gave Foucault and Derrida something to try and improve on, and Ricoeur something to try and clarify.

Lacan's writings also influenced the Return to Neveryon series of Samuel R. Delany.