A Psycho-Ecocritical Reading of Joyce Carol Oates’ I Lock My Door Upon Myself

Abstract

Abstract: Nature is viewed differently by men either in fiction or real-life situations. While some revere and adore nature, others are careless about their relationship with it. From the lenses of psychoanalysis and ecocriticism, this paper analyses the influence of nature and wilderness on the building of the main character, Calla in I Lock My Door Upon Myself by Joyce Carol Oates. In the process, the paper assesses the physical as well as psychological resources that can be drawn from nature for a balanced ecosystem and calls for the protection of the environment. Keywords: Psychoanalysis, ecocriticism, nature, characterization.