In Annie Proulx\u27s interview with Charlie Rose, she states that her stories come from place. Ecocriticism has been the predominant lens with which to understand Proulx\u27s work; however, ecocriticism\u27s nebulous tenets and theoretical deficiencies perpetuate sentimental pastoralism of geographical determinism. The shaping impact of Wyoming\u27s environment in Proulx\u27s work lends itself to an evolutionary perspective. Proulx\u27s fiction, like evolutionary theory, examines humanity\u27s unique, reciprocal relationship with nature. The evolutionary approach provides readers with a framework to understand the human relationship to our environment, a theme Proulx\u27s work examines. This approach also augments current criticism that notes the importance of place but does not utilize the relevant framework of evolution. Current evolutionary theory provides the theoretical framework necessary to shed light on the relationship between Proulx\u27s colorful characters and the environment that shapes them. Utilizing this evolutionary framework and textual analysis, I examine two short stories, The Half-Skinned Steer and Wamsutter Wolf
