New Materialism in Literature

Introduction: New Materialism in Literature

New Materialism in literature is a theoretical framework that challenges traditional human-centric perspectives in literary analysis. It emphasizes the agency and vitality of non-human entities and the interconnectedness of all things, blurring the boundaries between human and non-human elements. This approach encourages a deeper understanding of how matter, objects, and the environment play active roles in shaping narratives and character development.

New Materialism in literature expands the possibilities for interpretation and invites exploration of the rich interactions between human and non-human actors within literary works.

Criticism Against New Materialism in Literature

1. Anthropocentrism Concerns: Critics argue that New Materialism in literature, in its attempt to de-center human agency, may inadvertently overlook the ethical responsibilities and the importance of human actions and intentions in shaping the world.
2. Reductionism: Some critics suggest that New Materialism oversimplifies complex issues by reducing phenomena to mere materiality, potentially neglecting the intricate social, cultural, and historical contexts that influence events and interactions.
3. Lack of Clarity: Detractors contend that New Materialism in literature can be abstract and elusive in its formulations, making it challenging to apply to specific literary or cultural analyses, leading to confusion and ambiguity.
4. Neglect of Subjectivity: Critics argue that New Materialism’s focus on the agency of matter may neglect the significance of human subjectivity, emotions, and consciousness in understanding literary and cultural phenomena.
5. Environmental Determinism: Some critics accuse New Materialism in literature of promoting a form of environmental determinism, implying that material forces predetermine human actions and experiences, potentially undermining the idea of human agency.
6. Lack of Political Engagement: Detractors claim that New Materialism can be politically disengaged, as it often eschews normative and moral considerations, potentially sidelining ethical and political activism in literature and culture.
7. Overemphasis on Non-Human Agency: Critics argue that the emphasis on non-human agency in New Materialism in literature can sometimes neglect the pressing socio-political issues that require human intervention and ethical responsibility.
8. Compatibility Issues: Some argue that its compatibility with other critical frameworks and its ability to address a wide range of literary and cultural texts is limited, which may hinder its applicability in diverse contexts.
9. Complexity and Accessibility: Critics contend that its complexity and the jargon used in its literature can make it less accessible to scholars, students, and the general public, limiting its impact.
10. Ethical Dilemmas: Detractors question the ethical implications of viewing non-human entities as having agency, as it may lead to debates about the moral responsibility of humans regarding the treatment of these entities in literature and the real world.

Examples of New Materialism in Literature

1. The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell (2017): In this non-fiction work, New Materialism is evident through the exploration of the material agency of rising sea levels. Goodell examines the ways in which the physical properties of water, land, and climate interact with human-built infrastructure and shape the narrative of coastal cities facing inundation. The book underscores the dynamic agency of natural elements in reshaping the world and challenges traditional human-centric perspectives on climate change.
2. The Overstory by Richard Powers (2018): This novel beautifully exemplifies New Materialism through its portrayal of the interconnectedness and agency of trees and forests. It delves into the sentient and communicative qualities of trees, challenging the anthropocentric view of nature. The narrative reveals how the materiality of trees influences human lives and social structures, highlighting the vitality of non-human entities.
3. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (2020): Robinson’s novel engages with New Materialism by presenting a vision of a world where climate and ecological systems have a central role in shaping the narrative. It explores the impacts of climate change and the agency of the environment in shaping future political and social structures, underscoring the intricate relationship between humans and non-human forces in determining the course of history.
4. The New Wilderness by Diane Cook (2020): This dystopian novel exemplifies New Materialism by depicting a world where nature, in the form of a vast, untamed wilderness, plays a central role in shaping human lives and decisions. The narrative explores the agency of the natural world, as characters navigate the complexities of coexisting with a powerful and unpredictable environment. It challenges traditional human-centric narratives and emphasizes the importance of non-human elements in the story.

Keywords in New Materialism in Literature

1. Agency: The capacity of non-human entities, such as objects or nature, to act and influence the course of events in a narrative.
2. Materiality: The focus on the physical and tangible aspects of the world, emphasizing the importance of matter and material objects.
3. Non-human: Refers to entities or forces that are not human, including animals, nature, technology, and inanimate objects.
4. Entanglement: The interconnectedness and interdependence of human and non-human elements in a narrative.
5. Posthumanism: A perspective that challenges the traditional view of human exceptionalism and emphasizes the significance of non-human actors.
6. Affect: The emotional and sensory experiences of characters and the environment, highlighting their role in shaping the narrative.
7. Ecology: The study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment, often explored in the context of New Materialism.
8. Agency of Nature: The idea that nature and natural elements can actively participate in the unfolding of a story, impacting characters and events.
9. Embodiment: The embodiment of ideas, emotions, and experiences in the physical world, blurring the boundaries between mind and matter.
10. Post-anthropocentrism: A rejection of human-centered perspectives and a shift towards acknowledging the agency and significance of non-human entities in literature.

Suggested Readings

1. Bennett, Jane. Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things. Duke University Press, 2010.
2. Coole, Diana, and Samantha Frost. New Materialisms: Ontology, Agency, and Politics. Duke University Press, 2010.
3. Dolphijn, Rick, and Iris van der Tuin. New Materialism: Interviews and Cartographies. Open Humanities Press, 2012.
4. Grosz, Elizabeth. The Incorporeal: Ontology, Ethics, and the Limits of Materialism. Columbia University Press, 2017.
5. Haraway, Donna J. Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Duke University Press, 2016.
6. Barad, Karen. Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning. Duke University Press, 2007.
7. Kirksey, Eben, and Stefan Helmreich, editors. The Emergence of Multispecies Ethnography. Cultural Anthropology, Vol. 25, No. 4, 2010, pp. 545-576.
8. Parikka, Jussi. A Geology of Media. University of Minnesota Press, 2015.
9. Tsing, Anna Lowenhaupt. The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins. Princeton University Press, 2015.
10. Yusoff, Kathryn. A Billion Black Anthropocenes or None. University of Minnesota Press, 2018.