Date of Award
5-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
English
Program
English (MA)
First Advisor/Chairperson
Dr. Caroline Krzakowski
Abstract
As ecocriticism continues to grow and unfold, ecocritics must continue to define its overall goals. This thesis further defines and exemplifies Simon Estok’s term, “ecophobia,” which refers to fear and contempt of the natural world, as a way of understanding human relationships with the nonhuman world. This thesis also examines ecophobic tendencies of characters in two twentieth century Gothic novels, Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. American Gothic novels often represent patterns of historical violence. Therefore, analyzing moments of ecophobia within these novels allows me to draw a connection between harmful constructs of nature and human oppression.
Recommended Citation
Duncan, Jessica, ""That Hateful Prairie Wind": Violence and Ecophobia in Twentieth Century American Gothic" (2016). All NMU Master's Theses. 78.
https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/78
Access Type
Open Access