Eco-criticism

 

Eco-criticism

The concept Eco-criticism arose in 1970’s. In UK it is Green Studies and in USA it is Eco-criticism. Eco-criticism or Green studies takes its literary bearing from British Romanticism of the 1970’s American transcendentalist. The founding figure on the British side is critic Jonathan Bate. Bate is considered as the father of Eco-criticism in England and Cheryll Glotfelty is the father of Eco-criticism in USA.

Eco-criticism is the study of culture and cultural products, that is in someway connected with the human relationship to the natural world. It is a response to the need of humanistic understanding of our connection with natural world in an age of environmental destruction.

The increase in technology has brought a disconnection of humanity from the natural world. Most eco-critical works are concerned with the consequences of human actions.

American and British romantic writers took interest in nature as a subject. The Victorian writer wrote about industrialization, wildlife. Recent writers show concern over ecology and the threat caused over environment by humanity.

The eco-centered writer read the works of literature to trace the natural representation in the writing. They appreciate the authors who give importance for nature. According to Peter Barry “The eco-centric reading, by contrast focuses outside, on the house and its environs, rather than the inside, on the owner and his psychology”.

Thus, literature is a mirror and foundation of the world. It concerns all aspects of human life including plants and animals. Works in literature teach us how to appreciate nature.