City of Night:

Abstract

This paper examines John Rechy's 1963 novel, City of Nigt, in terms of the concepts of self psychology. The protagonist's psychopathology is explicated primarily in terms of narcissistic issues revolving around his need to feel disired by older males and his inability to reciporcate that desire. Ample materical from the young man's childhood is provided in the novel which makes a self psychological understanding intelligible. His sexual behavior is interpreted ina positive light and its defensive and growth promoting features are highlighted: The author believes that a self psychological understanding of homosexuality results in a more sympathetic understanding than has been traditional in psychoanalytic theory.