In the realm of psychoanalytical theory, transference is a significant concept where a patient projects feelings or experiences from their past onto their therapist. This dynamic transforms the therapist into a blank canvas, allowing unresolved emotions to surface through the therapeutic relationship, often rooted in childhood experiences.

In Jodi Picoult's book "House Rules," the protagonist reflects on their feelings for Jess, questioning whether these emotions stem from genuine love or are merely a result of transference. Given their tutor-student dynamic, the character muses that their affection could be misinterpreted as a projection rather than true romantic feelings, indicating the complexities of human emotions and relationships.