A Study of Amitav Ghoshs Selected Works in the Light of Ecocriticism

Abstract

This dissertation provides a thematic analysis of Amitav Ghosh s novels from an ecocritical perspective. As a theory ecocriticism is one among the literary theories which takes an earth centric approach towards literary studies. Thus it challenges to improve the functioning of mankind s ethical system by taking a theoretical approach. Though Ghosh s works are predominantly studied from an anthropocentric, historical, post-colonial, and cross-cultural aspect, it is realized that there is yet a lot of work to be carried out in order to investigate his novels from an ecocritical lens. An avid reading of Amitav Ghosh s works evidently shows a blending of nature and factual reality. Thus it is of vital importance to explore Ghosh s writings especially his fictions from an ecocritical lens. newlineA study of Ghosh s fictions reveals that man s domination over nature and anthropocentric attitude has been detrimental to the environment.The present study aims to study the relationship between man, nature and culture and role of nature in changing theculture. It also studies to find the ecocritical perspectives such asPollution, Ecocide, Wilderness,Ecosophy, Deep Ecology, and Social Ecology. Researcher has also studied and applied texts and ideas in terms of their coherence and usefulness in environmental crisis. Lastly the study aims to find the destruction of environment and its subsequent influence upon the society and culture. newlineThe first chapter Introductioncontainsa brief history of ecocriticism and an introduction of Ecocriticism theory. This chapter gives a brief theoretical introduction and an overview of the theoretical framework of ecocriticism on which the dissertation is developed. The chapter also includes some of the important perspectives and chapterization of the work. It has given the hypotheses and throws light on scope and limitations of the present study. newlineThe second chapter Deep Ecology proposes new norms of human responsibility to change the present environmental condition with cooperation with nature. Deep Ecologists believes they propose deep thoughts and philosophy in the saving of the nature. They think natural things have intrinsic values and newlineIII newlinethere is no need to endorse it from the outer elements. The philosophers believe that the conservation of this nature has deep rooted anthropocentric idea and think to utilize one day in the future. The eight key points of Deep Ecology has been given by Arne Naess and researcher grouped into three points, which are Bond with Nature, Simple Living and Wilderness. In the last point thelight has been thrown on Nirmal s testimony from Hungry Tide used as metaphor, as pastoral elegy for lamenting the loss of environment. newline