ABSTRACT

This chapter, Pastoralism and oral sadism, draws on the work of Melanie Klein and Karl Abraham to diagnose the symptoms, and engage in a talking cure, of the psychogeopathology of the oral and anal sadism of the mining and pastoral (sheep- and cattle-grazing) industries. This psychogeopathology is discussed in relation to T. Coraghessan Boyle’s novel, World’s End, Aboriginal writing about mining and pastoralism, and the Western Australian classic family chronicle, Kings in Grass Castles. These chapters critique resource exploitation, or greed and gluttony, and argue for a relationship of generosity for gratitude, of respect for, reciprocity with, and restoration of the earth as well as promote eco-mental health.