Eco Criticism
Ecocriticism is a critical theory and cultural movement that explores the
relationship between humans and the natural world through literature:
Definition
Ecocriticism is a literary theory that examines how literature represents
nature and the relationship between humans and the natural world. It's a critical
approach that uses literature as a lens to analyze ecological concerns.
Origin
Ecocriticism emerged in the mid-twentieth century and gained popularity in
the 1990s in response to environmental degradation and the impact of human
activity on the planet.
Importance
Ecocriticism has become more important as the global climate crisis
worsens. It's a dynamic field that bridges literature, ecology, and cultural studies.
Forms
There are different forms of ecocriticism, including pastoral, feminist, and
postcolonial.
Example
The Road (2006) by Cormac McCarthy is an example of an eco-critical text.
Ecocriticism is a way of studying literature that focuses on how texts deal
with nature, the environment, and ecological issues. At the MPhil level, studying
ecocriticism means examining how literature reflects our relationship with nature,
raises awareness about environmental problems, and sometimes even challenges us
to think differently about the world around us. Here’s a breakdown in simple
terms:
1. What is Ecocriticism?
Ecocriticism explores the relationship between humans and nature in
literature. It looks at how stories, poems, and other texts show nature, how they
address environmental issues, and how they shape our ideas about the natural
world. This field became more important as people started worrying more about
issues like climate change, pollution, and conservation.
2. Main Ideas in Ecocriticism
Nature in Literature: Ecocritics study how different texts describe nature.
For example, is nature shown as something humans should control, protect, or live
in harmony with?
Human-Nature Connection: Ecocriticism explores how literature shows our
relationship with nature—whether we see ourselves as separate from nature or part
of it.
Anthropocentrism vs. Ecocentrism: Many stories reflect an anthropocentric
view, where humans are the center of everything. Ecocritics encourage an
ecocentric view, which values all parts of nature, not just humans.
Environmental Problems: Ecocritics look at how literature addresses real-
world environmental issues like deforestation, pollution, and climate change,
making readers more aware of these problems.
3. How Ecocritics Analyze Texts
Ecocritics often look at:
Descriptions of Nature: They analyze how landscapes, animals, and
ecosystems are described, noting if they’re treated as resources for humans or as
independent parts of the world.
Human Impact: They examine how human actions affect nature in stories,
such as the consequences of farming, hunting, or building cities.
Cultural Attitudes: They explore cultural views in literature—such as seeing
nature as a place for adventure, escape, or something to protect.
4. Types of Literature Ecocriticism Studies
Ecocriticism can be applied to many types of literature, like:
Nature Writing: This includes essays, poems, and books that focus on nature
itself, like the works of John Muir or Rachel Carson, who wrote about
environmental issues.
Fiction: Many novels address nature indirectly, like Margaret Atwood’s Oryx
and Crake, which discusses the future of the planet and climate change.
Poetry and Drama: Ecocritics also study poems and plays that describe
landscapes, seasons, or the effects of industrialization.
5. Link to Other Critical Theories
Ecocriticism often overlaps with other theories:
Feminist Theory: Ecofeminism looks at how issues like gender and nature
intersect, seeing connections between the treatment of women and the treatment of
nature.
Postcolonial Theory: This examines how colonialism affected natural
landscapes and indigenous relationships with the land.
Social Justice: Some ecocritics look at how environmental issues affect
different communities, especially marginalized groups.
6. Why Ecocriticism Matters Today
As environmental issues become more urgent, ecocriticism helps us
understand how literature can inspire change. It encourages us to think about the
environment in new ways and to question human-centered views of the world.
Through ecocriticism, literature becomes a tool for raising awareness and
encouraging more sustainable and respectful ways of living with nature.
In Summary
Ecocriticism at the MPhil level is about studying literature to understand our
relationship with nature. It shows us how stories and poems can bring attention to
environmental issues, encourage us to care about the planet, and even challenge us
to think differently about our place in the world.
