In this book Anne Maguire examines the psychoanalytic relevance of evil. Using case studies and examples she examines how sin may find calamitous expression, and the consequences which can flow from its covert pre-existence. Pride, anger, jealousy, sloth, lust, avarice and gluttony are as old as mankind itself. However in the sense in which they were originally understood, interest in the seven sins has withered with the elapse of time. Today, ideas about sin and evil as taught by the theologians of the early church seem dated and alien. However when thought of as psychic representations of the dark side of human nature, as C. G. Jung defined it, the Seven Deadly Sins acquire relevant new meaning.