Ecofeminism in Indian English Fiction: A Case of Arundhati Roy and Anita Nair
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Abstract
Ecofeminism is a philosophical framework that combines ecology and feminism. It is based on the understanding that various forms of oppression and exploitation are linked (Warwick, 1984). Ecofeminism fundamentally questions the dominant perspectives that prioritise human beings and men, by claiming the inherent worth of both nature and women, and calling for their emancipation from structural subjugation (Rao, 2012). Ecofeminism draws upon feminist theory, environmental ethics, and ecological consciousness to provide a comprehensive viewpoint that goes beyond conventional divisions and highlights the interdependence of all living beings.
Eco-feminist thought emphasizes the acknowledgment of the similarities between the mistreatment of women and the mistreatment of the environment. Similar to the historical subjugation and marginalization of women in patriarchal society, nature has been commoditized, exploited, and regarded as a resource to be managed and controlled solely for human objectives (Jackson, 1993). The acknowledgment of the interdependence of oppressions serves as the basis for Eco-feminist analysis, which questions prevailing frameworks that prioritize human control and exploitation at the expense of environmental sustainability and social equity (Birkeland, 1993).
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