Ecological Literary Criticism

Introduction: What is Ecological Literary Criticism?

Ecological Literary Criticism, also known as Ecocriticism, is a branch of literary studies that examines the relationship between literature and the natural world. It is a theoretical framework that explores how literature represents and reflects upon environmental issues, and how literary texts can inspire environmental awareness and activism.

Ecological Literary Criticism seeks to understand how cultural attitudes toward nature are reflected in literature, and how these attitudes influence environmental policies and practices. It also explores the connections between literature, ecology, and sustainability, and considers the role of literature in shaping our understanding of the environment and our place in it.

In essence, Ecological Literary Criticism seeks to bridge the gap between literary studies and environmental studies, in order to develop a more holistic and integrated approach to understanding the world we live in.

Ecocriticism and Ecological Literary Criticism: Relationship and Difference

There is no difference between Ecological Literary Criticism and Ecocriticism. They are two terms used interchangeably to describe the same field of study that examines the relationship between literature and the natural world.

The term “Ecological Literary Criticism” is sometimes used to emphasize the critical and analytical aspects of the field, while “Ecocriticism” is used to highlight its ecological and environmental concerns. However, both terms refer to the same theoretical framework that seeks to understand how literature represents and reflects upon environmental issues, and how it can inspire environmental awareness and activism.

Definition of Ecological Literary Criticism

Ecological Literary Criticism is a branch of literary studies that explores the relationship between literature and the natural world. It seeks to understand how cultural attitudes toward nature are reflected in literature and how literary texts can inspire environmental awareness and activism.

By examining the connections between literature, ecology, and sustainability, Ecological Literary Criticism aims to develop a more holistic and integrated approach to understanding the world we live in.

Ecological Literary Criticism: Origin, Major Theorists, Works and Arguments

Ecological Literary Criticism, also known as ecocriticism, is a literary theory and approach that emerged in the late 20th century. It focuses on the relationship between literature and the natural environment, exploring how literature portrays, engages with, and comments on ecological issues. Here’s an overview of its origin, major theorists, works, and key arguments:

Origin:

Ecocriticism emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as a response to growing environmental awareness and concerns about ecological degradation. It was influenced by various intellectual and cultural movements, including environmentalism, eco-philosophy, and eco-feminism. It gained momentum in the 1990s and has since become an influential branch of literary criticism.

Major Theorists:

1. Rachel Carson: Although not typically considered an ecocritic in the academic sense, Carson’s seminal work Silent Spring (1962) played a crucial role in raising environmental consciousness. Her book highlighted the harmful effects of pesticides and was a precursor to later ecocritical thought.
2. Lawrence Buell: Buell’s book The Environmental Imagination: Thoreau, Nature Writing, and the Formation of American Culture (1995) is often cited as one of the foundational texts in ecocriticism. He explores the history of American nature writing and its cultural significance.
3. Cheryll Glotfelty: Glotfelty is known for co-editing The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology (1996), an influential anthology that brought together key texts in the field. Her work has contributed to defining the scope of ecocriticism.
4. Timothy Morton: Morton’s work, including Ecology Without Nature (2007), challenges conventional notions of nature and advocates for a more interconnected and complex understanding of ecology. His ideas have had a significant impact on ecocritical thinking.

Major Works and Arguments:

1. Nature as Text: Ecocritics often argue that nature itself can be seen as a text to be read and interpreted through literature. They explore how authors use language and narrative to depict the natural world and human interactions with it.
2. Environmental Ethics: Ecocriticism engages with questions of ethics and responsibility towards the environment. It examines how literature can promote environmental awareness, activism, and ethical behavior.
3. Place and Landscape: Many ecocritics focus on the significance of place and landscape in literature. They analyze how authors represent specific natural environments and how these settings shape the narrative and characters.
4. Ecological Awareness: Ecocritics emphasize the importance of literature in raising ecological consciousness. They argue that literature can inspire readers to connect with nature and advocate for environmental protection.
5. Critique of Anthropocentrism: Ecocritics challenge anthropocentrism, the belief that human interests are paramount. They explore texts that question this perspective and offer alternative views that prioritize the interconnectedness of all living beings.
6. Climate Change and Environmental Crisis: In recent years, ecocriticism has increasingly turned its attention to literature addressing climate change and the urgent environmental challenges facing the planet.

Ecocriticism continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary environmental concerns, making it a dynamic and relevant field within literary studies. Its interdisciplinary nature allows for connections with various other disciplines, including ecology, philosophy, and environmental science, further enriching its insights into the relationship between literature and the environment.

Principals of Ecological Literary Criticism

Principal	Explanation	Example
1. Nature as Text	Nature is viewed as a textual element to be interpreted through literature.	Authors use language and narrative to portray the natural world and human interactions with it.
2. Environmental Ethics	Literature engages with questions of ethics and responsibility towards the environment.	It promotes environmental awareness, activism, and ethical behavior.
3. Place and Landscape	The significance of place and landscape in literature is examined.	Analysis of how authors represent specific natural environments and their impact on the narrative and characters.
4. Ecological Awareness	Literature plays a vital role in raising ecological consciousness.	It inspires readers to connect with nature and advocate for environmental protection.
5. Critique of Anthropocentrism	Ecocriticism challenges anthropocentrism, which prioritizes human interests.	It explores texts that offer alternative perspectives emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living beings.
6. Climate Change and Environmental Crisis	Ecocriticism addresses literature that deals with climate change and urgent environmental challenges.	It explores how literature reflects and responds to these pressing issues.

Suggested Readings

1. Buell, Lawrence. The Environmental Imagination: Thoreau, Nature Writing, and the Formation of American Culture. Harvard University Press, 1995.
2. Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin, 1962.
3. Garrard, Greg. Ecocriticism. Routledge, 2004.
4. Glotfelty, Cheryll, and Harold Fromm (Eds.). The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology. University of Georgia Press, 1996.
5. Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There. Oxford University Press, 1949.
6. Love, Glen A. Practical Ecocriticism: Literature, Biology, and the Environment. University of Virginia Press, 2003.
7. Morton, Timothy. Ecology Without Nature: Rethinking Environmental Aesthetics. Harvard University Press, 2007.
8. Nixon, Rob. Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor. Harvard University Press, 2011.
9. Orr, David W. Ecological Literacy: Education and the Transition to a Postmodern World. State University of New York Press, 1992.
10. Williams, Terry Tempest. Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place. Vintage Books, 1991.