Introduction
The building blocks of an earlier-life Oedipus complex
How might the earlier complex lend additional clarity to twenty-first century psychoanalysis
The role of the earlier-life complex in motivating religious endeavors
Illustrative case studies
Freud's rat man from the perspective of the earlier-life complex
Listening to Schreber
Manifestations of the earlier complex appearing in psychodynamically similar persons living three centuries apart
Selected religious and mythical exemplars
One who fears and also worships masculinity
Corroboration and dissonance when examining primitive peoples initiation rites
Affirmation from the arts and artists
Conclusion.