Geocriticism in English Literature

Geocriticism: Etymology and Concept

“Geocriticism” originates from the combination of “geo,” derived from the Greek word “ge,” meaning “earth” or “land,” and “criticism,” denoting analytical examination and interpretation, resulting in a term that signifies the study of literature through the lens of geography.

Concept

Aspect	Explanation
Interdisciplinary Approach	Geocriticism involves an interdisciplinary examination of literary and cultural works, integrating insights from geography, literature, and cultural studies.
Spatial Turn	It aligns with the broader “spatial turn” in the social sciences and humanities, emphasizing the significance of space and place in understanding human experiences.
Geographical Environment	The concept focuses on exploring the dynamic relationship between literature and the physical, cultural, and imagined landscapes.
Influence of Place	Geocriticism seeks to unravel how specific locations, regions, or environments influence literary texts and, conversely, how literature shapes perceptions of place.
Environmental Critique	It incorporates an environmental critique by considering the ecological and geographical dimensions within literary analysis.
Cultural and Regional Identities	Geocriticism delves into how literature contributes to the construction and negotiation of cultural, regional, and national identities.
Mapping Narratives	This approach involves “mapping” narratives to visualize and analyze the spatial elements within literary works.
Global Perspectives	Geocriticism often extends its focus beyond local or regional contexts, engaging with global perspectives and the interconnectedness of places and cultures.

Geocriticism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists	Works	Arguments
Edward Said (1935-2003)	Orientalism (1978)	Said’s work critiques Western representations of the East, highlighting how literature and discourse contribute to the construction of cultural stereotypes and power dynamics.
Michel de Certeau (1925-1986)	The Practice of Everyday Life (1980)	Certeau’s ideas emphasize the agency of individuals in creating their own spatial narratives, challenging dominant discourses and highlighting the significance of everyday practices.
David Harvey (b. 1935)	The Condition of Postmodernity (1989)	Harvey’s contributions include examining the role of space and geography in the dynamics of capitalism, emphasizing how economic forces shape the spatial organization of societies.
Yi-Fu Tuan (b. 1930)	Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience (1977)	Tuan explores the cultural and emotional dimensions of space, arguing that places acquire meaning through human experiences and perceptions, influencing how individuals relate to them.
Tim Cresswell (b. 1965)	Place: A Short Introduction (2004)	Cresswell’s work delves into the concept of place, investigating how places are socially constructed, contested, and experienced, contributing to the understanding of spatial relationships.
Derek Gregory (b. 1951)	Geographical Imaginations (1994)	Gregory’s writings explore the intersection of geography and war, examining how geographical imaginations shape military strategies and influence perceptions of conflict and space.

These theorists have played crucial roles in shaping geocriticism by offering insights into the relationships between literature, space, power, and cultural identity. Their works provide foundational perspectives for scholars engaging with geocritical approaches.

Geocriticism: Principals

1. Spatial Sensibility: Geocriticism emphasizes a heightened awareness of space and place, acknowledging the influence of physical, cultural, and imagined landscapes on literary texts.
2. Interdisciplinarity: The approach encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing insights from geography, literature, cultural studies, and other relevant disciplines to enrich the analysis of spatial dimensions in literature.
3. Spatial Turn: Building on the broader “spatial turn” in the social sciences and humanities, geocriticism considers space as a dynamic and integral aspect of human experiences and cultural expressions.
4. Cultural and Regional Contexts: Geocriticism explores the ways in which literature contributes to the construction and negotiation of cultural, regional, and national identities, recognizing the intricate interplay between literary texts and cultural contexts.
5. Everyday Practices: Influenced by Michel de Certeau’s ideas, geocriticism acknowledges the significance of everyday practices in shaping spatial narratives, considering how individuals interact with and transform their surroundings.
6. Environmental Awareness: The approach incorporates an environmental critique, examining the ecological and geographical dimensions within literary analysis and addressing the intersections between literature and the environment.
7. Global Perspectives: Geocriticism often extends its focus beyond local or regional contexts, engaging with global perspectives and exploring the interconnectedness of places, cultures, and narratives.
8. Mapping Narratives: Geocriticism employs the metaphor of “mapping” to visualize and analyze the spatial elements within literary works, considering how narratives are situated within and contribute to broader spatial landscapes.

Geocriticism and Literary Theories

Theory	Intersection
Postcolonialism	Intersection: Geocriticism and postcolonialism converge in their exploration of the impact of colonial histories on landscapes and literary representations. Both examine how spatial contexts influence cultural identities and power dynamics.
Ecocriticism	Intersection: Geocriticism and ecocriticism intersect in their consideration of the environment. While geocriticism emphasizes the spatial aspects of landscapes, ecocriticism focuses on the ecological implications of literature, creating a holistic approach to space and nature.
Feminist Criticism	Intersection: Geocriticism and feminist criticism intersect in their examination of how gender is situated within specific spatial contexts. Both consider how landscapes and places are gendered and explore the intersectionality of space, gender, and identity.
Marxist Criticism	Intersection: Geocriticism and Marxist criticism share an interest in the social and economic aspects of space. Marxist criticism examines the spatial dimensions of class struggle, while geocriticism broadens this scope by exploring the multifaceted relationships between literature and space.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Intersection: Geocriticism and psychoanalytic criticism intersect in their exploration of the psychological aspects of space. While psychoanalytic criticism delves into the individual’s psyche, geocriticism considers how collective psychological experiences are reflected in the spaces we inhabit.
Postmodernism:	Intersection: Geocriticism aligns with postmodernism in its rejection of rigid boundaries and a single, universal narrative. Both approaches acknowledge the fragmented, multiple perspectives inherent in spatial representations and challenge fixed notions of place and identity.
Cultural Studies	Intersection: Geocriticism and cultural studies intersect in their examination of how literature reflects and contributes to cultural practices and identities within specific spatial contexts. Both approaches consider the dynamic relationships between culture, space, and literature.
Narratology	Intersection: Geocriticism and narratology intersect in their consideration of how narratives are situated within spatial environments. Geocriticism employs the metaphor of “mapping” narratives, aligning with narratological approaches that analyze the structure and storytelling techniques within literary works.

Geocriticism: Application in Critiques

1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón:
   • Geographical Atmosphere: Set in post-war Barcelona, the novel’s exploration of the city’s mysterious and labyrinthine streets becomes a central theme. Geocriticism allows for an examination of how the cityscape shapes the characters’ quests and contributes to the novel’s atmospheric and enigmatic tone.
2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
   • Diasporic Identities: Geocriticism can be applied to analyze the experiences of the novel’s protagonist, Ifemelu, as she navigates different geographical spaces, moving from Nigeria to the United States. The exploration of diasporic identities becomes a focal point, revealing how spaces influence cultural and personal identities.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy:
   • Post-Apocalyptic Geography: Geocriticism is instrumental in understanding the desolate landscapes traversed by the novel’s father and son. The barren and devastated environment becomes a character itself, influencing the characters’ survival strategies and reflecting broader themes of human resilience and environmental degradation.
4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy:
   • Keralite Landscape and Caste Dynamics: Geocriticism allows for an in-depth analysis of the novel’s setting in Kerala, India. The lush and vivid descriptions of the landscape become integral to understanding the characters’ experiences and the complex interplay of caste dynamics within the geographical context.

Geocriticism: Suggested Readings

1. Tally, Robert T. Spatiality. Routledge, 2013.
2. Westphal, Bertrand. Geocriticism: Real and Fictional Spaces. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
3. Pugliese, Joseph. Biopolitics of the Subject: An Introduction to the Ideas of Roberto Esposito. Bloomsbury Academic, 2014.
4. Mitchell, W. J. T. Landscape and Power. University of Chicago Press, 2002.
5. Cresswell, Tim. Place: A Short Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2004.
6. Tuan, Yi-Fu. Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience. University of Minnesota Press, 1977.
7. Tally, Robert T., Jr., ed. Geocritical Explorations: Space, Place, and Mapping in Literary and Cultural Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
8. Lefebvre, Henri. The Production of Space. Wiley-Blackwell, 1991.
9. Certeau, Michel de. The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press, 1984.