Patriarchal Power and Nature: An Eco-Feministic Study of Sara Macdonald’s In a Kingdom by the Sea

Using the theoretical framework of ecofeminism, this article examines the intersection of feminism and ecology in Sara MacDonald’s novel In a Kingdom by the Sea. The study explores how the novel critiques patriarchal power structures by portraying women’s lived experiences and their relationship with the natural environment. Drawing on Karen J. Warren’s ecofeminist theory, the analysis highlights the parallel processes through which women are marginalized and nature is exploited within patriarchal societies. The article emphasizes how MacDonald’s narrative resists systems of domination and challenges hierarchical dualisms such as man/woman and nature/culture. By deconstructing these binaries, the novel reveals the interconnected oppression of women and the environment. The study argues that In a Kingdom by the Sea presents an ecofeminist vision that promotes harmony, care, and ethical responsibility toward both women and nature. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that MacDonald’s work not only critiques gender-based and ecological injustices but also offers an alternative perspective that foregrounds mutual respect, sustainability, and interconnectedness. Through an ecofeminist lens, the novel emerges as a powerful literary response to contemporary social and environmental concerns.