How do you apply Ecocriticism?

Getting Your Hands Dirty with Ecocriticism: A Human Guide to Environmental Literary Analysis

Ecocriticism. Sounds a bit academic, right? But trust me, it’s a fascinating field, and more relevant now than ever. Basically, it’s all about exploring the relationship between literature and the environment. Think of it as reading between the lines to see how our stories shape—and are shaped by—the natural world. It sprung up from growing environmental worries back in the mid-20th century, and honestly, it’s a lens we desperately need today. It allows us to see how our cultural stories impact our understanding of nature and our place in it. So, how do you actually do ecocriticism? Well, it’s a bit of a balancing act, calling for thinking outside the box and a real commitment to caring about the environment.

At its heart, ecocriticism is about digging into how nature gets portrayed in books, movies, and pretty much any cultural artifact you can think of. It’s about questioning this idea that humans are the center of everything, challenging the notion that nature is just there for us to use. Instead, it wants to understand the back-and-forth, the give-and-take, between human culture and everything else that lives on this planet. Ecocritics are interested in the ethics and the aesthetics of environmental issues, pushing us to really think about our connection to nature.

Now, there are some big names in the field you should know. People like Cheryll Glotfelty, who famously defined ecocriticism as “the study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment.” And Lawrence Buell, whose work dives deep into environmental literature and our “environmental imagination.” These folks laid the groundwork for how we analyze environmental themes in literature today.

Okay, But How Do I Actually Do It?

Applying ecocriticism is more than just saying, “Hey, that tree looks pretty.” It’s a step-by-step process of analyzing texts. Here’s the breakdown:

Different Shades of Green: Ecocritical Lenses

Ecocriticism isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are different approaches you can take:

• The Good Old Days? Pastoral ecocriticism looks at the contrast between city and country life, often romanticizing nature and rural settings while criticizing urban environments. Think “city bad, country good,” but with a more critical eye.
• Into the Wild: Wilderness ecocriticism explores how we define and value wilderness in literature. Is it a place of danger, or a place of spiritual connection?
• Women and the Earth: Ecofeminism connects the dots between the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature. It often points out how patriarchal systems harm both.
• Whose Land Is It Anyway?: Postcolonial ecocriticism recognizes that different cultures have different relationships with nature, especially focusing on the environmental consequences of colonialism and the voices of marginalized communities.

Ecocriticism in Action

You can apply ecocriticism to pretty much anything. Think about how nature is portrayed in the poems of Wordsworth or Coleridge. Or consider novels like Moby-Dick or The Overstory, and how they depict our relationship with the natural world. Even Shakespeare, with plays like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, offers chances to examine how nature is represented. And Kate Chopin’s Story of an Hour can be seen as a response to the changing relationship between people and nature in the industrial age.

Why Bother? The Bigger Picture

Ecocriticism isn’t just for academics. It actually helps shape how we talk about the environment and even influences environmental policy. By looking at the stories we tell about nature, we can uncover the values and assumptions that drive our policies. This can lead to better, more sustainable solutions. Plus, ecocriticism raises awareness, promotes environmental justice, and helps us connect with the places we live in.

Ultimately, ecocriticism gives us a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. And in a time of environmental crisis, that understanding is more important than ever. So, get out there, start reading, and get your hands dirty with ecocriticism!