The purpose of this study is to discuss the psychological reasons for the protagonists in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Coraline, showing similarities through psychoanalytical elements of their journeys. Alice’s and Coraline’s experience in the alternative realms illustrate their emotions that transition through different stages in adolescence. Through close reading, I argue that the trials Alice and Coraline face in the other realms represent their desires for self-discovery and independence, which drive their actions and decisions throughout their journeys. The essay is supported by Lacanian psychoanalysis of the human mind. Alice and Coraline encounter similar experiences, but with different aspects. They either seek attention from their parents or try to salvage a fragmented sense of self-awareness and identity. Both characters undergo transitions through different stages in their psychological development. I also argue that Alice and Coraline experience similar paths of personal growth by highlighting the key aspects of their adaptation to overcome challenges – revealing the reasons for their resilience and how it is strengthened throughout different stages of their psychological development.