Decoding Relationship between Human and Environment: A Critique of Ecocriticism

Abstract

Broadly speaking, the relationship between human society and the environment has become a subject of pressing concern in recent years, particularly in the context of accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Within English literary studies, the emergence of ecocriticism as a critical framework has offered new interpretive strategies for analyzing texts through the lens of ecological awareness. Ecocriticism has developed as a vital tool to assess the extent to which literary works contribute to the discourse on preserving ecological balance and fostering the sustainable coexistence of humanity with the natural world. Literature has historically played a pivotal role in shaping cultural attitudes toward nature, and it continues to provide imaginative and philosophical insights into the challenges of the Anthropocene. It serves not only as a reflection of environmental anxieties but also as a platform to propose sustainable approaches and ethical engagement with the planet. Ecocriticism is one such intellectual effort that strives to restore the organic harmony between human life and ecological systems, offering possibilities for a redefined relationship based on respect, sustainability, and mutual dependence. The article intends to study ecocriticism and its evolving role in identifying and articulating solutions for maintaining a sustainable environment. Particular emphasis will be placed on the potential of literary narratives to mediate between the often conflicting domains of environmental preservation and developmental politics. The analysis of selected literary texts will be conducted through the critical lens of ecocriticism, thereby exploring literature's transformative capacity to inspire ecological consciousness and action.