Ecocriticism

Summary

Ecocriticism explores the relationship between literature and nature, focusing on how cultural and societal constructs shape our view of the natural world. In the U.S., it celebrates nature, while in the UK, it highlights environmental dangers in a globalized context. Ecocritics critique how human-made systems like hierarchy and poverty are naturalized. They emphasize the authenticity of nature, divided into categories like Wilderness, Countryside, and the Domestic Picturesque. Deep ecology challenges anthropocentric views, urging a holistic appreciation of nature. With global warming impacting untouched environments, humans are called to recognize their interconnectedness with nature and take responsibility for its care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ecocriticism studies the relationship between literature and nature, emphasizing how human culture and the environment are interconnected.
• 😀 American ecocriticism is often celebratory of nature, while UK green studies focus more on the environmental dangers in a globalized world.
• 😀 Nature is real, tangible, and essential for survival; it is not just a concept but a force that shapes and is shaped by human actions.
• 😀 Ecocritics argue that many social and political constructs (e.g., hierarchy, poverty, taxes) are framed as 'natural,' when in fact they are human-made systems.
• 😀 The only thing truly natural is nature itself, and ecocritics challenge the naturalization of human-made social systems.
• 😀 Nature is categorized into four areas: Wilderness, Scenic Sublime, Countryside, and Domestic Picturesque, each offering different insights into how we relate to the environment.
• 😀 Global warming and human intervention have altered natural areas, leading to the argument that the Wilderness may no longer exist in its original form.
• 😀 Anthropocentrism (the human-centered view of nature) is critiqued, particularly in religious narratives like the Bible, where nature is often seen as serving human needs.
• 😀 Deep ecology rejects anthropocentrism, promoting the idea that nature has intrinsic value beyond human benefit.
• 😀 Ecocriticism calls for shared responsibility in caring for the environment, recognizing that humanity and nature are deeply interconnected and interdependent.

Q & A

What is the main focus of ecocriticism in literature?

Ecocriticism primarily studies the relationship between literature and nature, examining how nature is represented in literature and how it interacts with cultural and political issues.

How does ecocriticism in America differ from the UK's green studies?

In America, ecocriticism tends to be more celebratory of nature, focusing on tree-hugging tendencies, while the UK's green studies often focus on the environmental dangers in a globalized world.

What distinguishes an ecocritic from other critics?

An ecocritic focuses on the real, tangible nature that exists outside of literary texts, emphasizing how nature affects us and how we, in turn, affect it, while also analyzing cultural and political constructs.

Why is nature considered 'authentic' in ecocriticism?

Nature is considered authentic because it is real, it shapes our existence, and it has always been essential for survival. Ecocritics argue that nature's authenticity is never truly questioned because it is a foundational aspect of our lives.

What are the four areas of nature that ecocritics often focus on?

Ecocritics divide nature into four areas: the Wilderness, the Scenic Sublime, the Countryside, and the Domestic Picturesque.

How does global warming challenge the concept of the Wilderness?

Global warming has altered previously uninhibited areas, such as the Wilderness, through temperature changes and weather patterns, making it harder to view these areas as untouched or pristine.

What does it mean to view nature anthropocentrically?

Viewing nature anthropocentrically means considering nature primarily in terms of its benefit to humans, rather than as an independent, self-sustaining system. This view can be seen in various religious and cultural narratives.

How do religious texts like the Bible illustrate an anthropocentric view of nature?

In the Bible, figures like Moses and Jesus interact with nature in a way that focuses on its utility for human spiritual purposes, such as Moses ascending a mountain to receive the commandments or Jesus retreating to the wilderness for prayer.

What is deep ecology, and how does it resist anthropocentrism?

Deep ecology is a philosophy that opposes anthropocentrism by asserting that all forms of life have intrinsic value, regardless of their usefulness to humans. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the need for a more holistic approach to environmentalism.

Why do people have an inherent connection to nature, according to the script?

According to the script, people naturally enjoy and connect with nature because we come from nature itself. This connection is seen as both a result of natural instinct and cultural nurture, and it fosters a sense of responsibility toward environmental care.