This book compares the beginning of symbolic thought in human infancy with that of our close primate relatives, the chimpanzees. The author investigates the precursors of symbolism by studying the actions and interactions of a small group of these intelligent, non-human primates who live in Singapore Zoo.

Introduction. 1. Expression, Representation and Symbolism in Primates. 2. Genesis. 3. Spontaneously Generated Expressive Structure. 4. Structural Principles: Modification, Variation and Extension of First Generation Actions. 5. The Meaning of the Moving Hand. 6. Directions and Locations. 7. The End of the Line. 8. Repetition and Variation Upon a Structural Theme. 9. The Giving of Meaning. 10. Sentences in the Sky. 11. Point of Arrival and Moment of Impact. 12. Helping Hands. 13. Shape, Form and Symmetry. 14. Empathy and Imagination. 15. Dialogue. 16. Dynamic Structure. 17. Continuous Rotation. 18. In a Spin: The Development of the Rotation. 19. Bottoms-up: Script-violation. 20. Rotation Around an Axis. 21. Rhythm. 22. A New Kind of Desire. 23. Structure. 24. The Image. 25. Shapes of Things to Come. 26. The Dynamic Knot. 27. Drawing and Writing. 28. Description. 29. The Scratch. 30. Agon. 31. Dying Slave. 32. Sack-cloth and Ashes. 33. Ida Draws. Conclusion.