Oil or Petrofiction in English Literature

Oil or Petrofiction: Term and Concept

Etymology of the Term “Petrofiction”

The term “petrofiction” in “oil or petrofiction” was coined by the Indian writer and critic Amitav Ghosh in his essay “Petrofiction: The Oil Encounter and the Novel.” Ghosh used the term to describe a genre of literature that deals with the global and often contentious relationship between oil and society. The etymology of “petrofiction” combines “petro,” derived from the Greek word “petra,” meaning rock or stone, commonly associated with petroleum, and “fiction,” signifying the literary creation of imaginative narratives. Ghosh’s concept emerged from the recognition of oil’s profound impact on modern economies, politics, and cultures, and the corresponding lack of literary engagement with this critical subject. Thus, “petrofiction” encapsulates the intersection of literature with the economic, environmental, and geopolitical dimensions of oil, highlighting the need for narratives that reflect the complexities of our petroleum-dependent world.

Concept in English Literature

Heading	Description
Definition	Petrofiction refers to literary works that explore the influence of oil on society, politics, and the environment.
Origins	Coined by Amitav Ghosh, the term emerged from his observation of the scarce literary focus on oil’s pervasive impact.
Themes	Common themes in petrofiction include the exploitation of natural resources, environmental degradation, and the socio-economic disparities caused by the oil industry.
Key Works	Notable examples include “Oil!” by Upton Sinclair and “The Petrol Pump” by Naguib Mahfouz.
Authors	Authors like Amitav Ghosh, Naguib Mahfouz, and Upton Sinclair have contributed significantly to this genre.
Relevance	Petrofiction is increasingly relevant in contemporary discourse due to the ongoing global reliance on fossil fuels and the climate crisis.
Criticism	Critics argue that petrofiction highlights the ethical and moral responsibilities of the oil industry and the complicity of consumers in environmental destruction.
Literary Devices	Metaphors, allegories, and dystopian settings are commonly used to depict the consequences of oil dependency.
Impact	Petrofiction has influenced both literary criticism and environmental humanities, fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural implications of oil.
Future Directions	Emerging petrofiction works continue to address issues such as renewable energy, sustainability, and the transition to post-oil societies.

Oil or Petrofiction: Major Writers and Works

Year	Author	Work	Short Description
1927	Upton Sinclair	Oil!	A muckraking novel exposing the corruption and greed of the American oil industry in the early 20th century.
1984	Abdelrahman Munif	Cities of Salt	A pentalogy chronicling the socio-political transformations of a fictional Arabian Gulf state following the discovery of oil.
1997	Karen Tei Yamashita	Tropic of Orange	A magical realist novel exploring the interconnectedness of global economies and cultures through the lens of the oil industry.
2008	Helon Habila	Oil on Water	A Nigerian novel narrating a journalist’s journey through the Niger Delta, highlighting the environmental devastation and social injustices caused by oil exploitation.
2010	Ian McEwan	Solar	A satirical novel following a Nobel Prize-winning physicist’s attempts to develop renewable energy solutions amidst the backdrop of climate change and oil dependency.
2017	Omar El Akkad	American War	A dystopian novel set in a future America ravaged by climate change and resource wars, depicting the consequences of oil scarcity and political instability.

Oil or Petrofiction: Major Characteristics

Petrofiction Characteristic	Example (Book and How it Exemplifies the Characteristic)
Central Theme	Oil on Water by Helon Habila: The plot revolves around two journalists searching for a kidnapped oil worker in the Niger Delta, highlighting the oil industry’s dominance in the region’s affairs.
Environmental Critique	Solar by Ian McEwan: The novel satirizes the scientific community’s struggle to develop alternative energy solutions, showcasing the entrenched interests and lack of urgency in addressing climate change.
Socio-Political Commentary	American War by Omar El Akkad: The story explores a dystopian future where the US is ravaged by a second civil war over fossil fuels, highlighting the potential for social collapse and political instability due to oil scarcity.
Global Perspective	The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi: Set in a future Thailand ravaged by climate change and corporate control of food production, the novel reveals the interconnectedness of global energy systems and their far-reaching impact.
Genre Hybridity	The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi: The novel blends science fiction with elements of cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic fiction, creating a unique and immersive world that reflects the anxieties of our oil-dependent era.

Oil or Petrofiction: Applicable Literary Theories

Petrofiction, with its focus on the complex and often devastating impacts of the oil industry, lends itself well to analysis through various literary theories. Here are a few applicable theories and how they can be used for critique:

1. Ecocriticism:

• Focus: Examines the relationship between literature and the environment, highlighting how texts represent ecological concerns.
• Critique: Analyze how petrofiction portrays the environmental consequences of oil extraction and consumption, such as pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Examine how characters interact with the natural world and whether the narrative promotes ecological awareness.

2. Postcolonial Theory:

• Focus: Explores the power dynamics between colonizers and colonized, highlighting issues of cultural identity, exploitation, and resistance.
• Critique: Analyze how petrofiction portrays the exploitation of resources and labor in oil-rich regions, often by Western powers. Examine how characters from marginalized communities respond to this exploitation and assert their agency.

3. Marxist Theory:

• Focus: Examines the economic and social structures that shape literature, highlighting issues of class struggle, inequality, and commodification.
• Critique: Analyze how petrofiction portrays the oil industry as a capitalist enterprise driven by profit and exploitation. Examine how characters from different social classes are affected by the industry and whether the narrative challenges or reinforces existing power structures.

4. Feminist Theory:

• Focus: Examines how gender shapes literature and society, highlighting issues of patriarchy, gender roles, and female representation.
• Critique: Analyze how petrofiction portrays female characters and their relationship to the oil industry. Examine whether the narrative reinforces or challenges traditional gender roles and power dynamics.

How to do Critique:

1. Choose a Theory: Select one or more literary theories that resonate with your interests and the specific petrofiction text you are analyzing.
2. Identify Key Themes: Identify the key themes and motifs related to oil and its impact in the chosen text.
3. Apply the Theory: Use the lens of your chosen theory to analyze how the text addresses these themes. Look for examples of how the text reinforces or challenges the assumptions and values of the theory.
4. Formulate an Argument: Develop a thesis statement that articulates your main argument about the text’s engagement with the chosen theory.
5. Support Your Argument: Provide evidence from the text to support your claims, using close reading and analysis of specific passages.
6. Consider Counterarguments: Acknowledge and address potential counterarguments to strengthen your overall analysis.
7. Conclude: Summarize your findings and discuss the broader implications of your analysis for understanding petrofiction and its engagement with social and environmental issues.

Oil or Petrofiction: Major Themes and Messages

Major Theme	Message Conveyed	Example (Book and How it Illustrates the Theme/Message)
Environmental Degradation and Exploitation	Oil extraction and consumption have devastating environmental consequences, including pollution, ecological damage, and climate change.	Oil on Water by Helon Habila: The polluted landscapes and oil spills in the Niger Delta serve as a stark reminder of the environmental toll of oil production.
Power, Corruption, and Social Injustice	The oil industry often perpetuates power imbalances, corruption, and social inequalities, particularly in developing nations.	American War by Omar El Akkad: The novel depicts how oil scarcity fuels conflict and exacerbates existing social divisions, leading to widespread injustice and suffering.
Loss of Identity and Cultural Erosion	Oil-driven development can disrupt traditional ways of life, erode cultural identity, and create a sense of displacement and alienation.	The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi: The genetically modified food crops and corporate dominance in the novel’s world symbolize the loss of cultural autonomy and connection to the land.
Human Cost of Oil	Oil production and conflict often come at a high human cost, leading to displacement, violence, and loss of life.	Oil on Water by Helon Habila: The kidnapping and violence in the Niger Delta highlight the human toll of the oil industry, impacting both workers and local communities.
The Illusion of Progress	The pursuit of oil-fueled progress often comes at the expense of long-term sustainability and well-being.	Solar by Ian McEwan: The novel’s protagonist, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, embodies the hypocrisy and self-interest that can undermine genuine efforts towards sustainable energy solutions.

Oil or Petrofiction: Key Terms

Key Term	Short Definition
Petro-Capitalism	The economic and political system based on the extraction and exploitation of oil resources.
Petro-State	A country whose economy is heavily dependent on oil production and exports.
Resource Curse	The paradox of countries with abundant natural resources experiencing slower economic growth and greater social problems.
Peak Oil	The hypothetical point at which global oil production reaches its maximum rate and begins to decline.
Oil Shock	A sudden and significant increase in oil prices, often with far-reaching economic and political consequences.
Petro-Masculinity	The cultural association of oil with masculine power, dominance, and risk-taking.
Petro-Culture	The social and cultural practices, values, and beliefs shaped by the oil industry and its impact.
Environmental Justice	The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making, regardless of race or income.
Energy Transition	The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Degrowth	The idea that economic growth should be reduced or reversed to achieve environmental sustainability and social well-being.

Oil or Petrofiction: Suggested Readings

• Books and Novels:
• El Akkad, Omar. American War. Knopf, 2017.
• Habila, Helon. Oil on Water. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011.
• McEwan, Ian. Solar. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2010. [invalid URL removed]
• Bacigalupi, Paolo. The Windup Girl. Night Shade Books, 2009. https://www.amazon.com/Windup-Girl-Paolo-Bacigalupi/dp/1597801585
• Criticism and Critique:
• Balkan, Stacey, and Swaralipi Nandi, eds. Oil fictions: World literature and our contemporary petrosphere. Penn State Press, 2022.
• LeMenager, Stephanie. Living Oil: Petroleum Culture in the American Century. Oxford University Press, 2014.
• Szeman, Imre and Dominic Boyer. Energy Humanities: An Anthology. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017. https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/energy-humanities