The nameless father in the poetry and life of Francis Webb.

Abstract

A brief biographical review of the poet Francis Webb was carried out, with reference to his mental illness and recurring themes in his poetry. Material is drawn from a recent biography and the author's personal encounters with the poet. Reference is also made to Lacan's theory of psychosis and Winnicott's construct of the 'transitional object'. The poetry may be seen in part as a transitional object whereby the poet sought to repair deficits in the structure of the self and contain psychotic chaos. The poems have a beauty and power beyond any psychoanalytic theorising, but may also be read as a vital striving toward self-healing on the part of the poet.