ECRITURE FEMINISM AND ECOFEMINISM: AN AMBIVALENT

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WOMAN AND NATURE IN SELECTED

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY................................................................................................7
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM........................................................................................................9
OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................................10
RESEARCH QUESTIONS...........................................................................................................10
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................10
RESEARCH DESIGN...................................................................................................................11
Theoretical framework...............................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
ABSTRACT

The current study aims to highlight the link between women and nature suppression at the

hands of men specifically in South Asia through the lens of ecofeminism. Female novelists have

created an ambivalent link between both the entities. The central tenet of ecofeminism

emphasizes the parallels that may be drawn between a woman and the natural world, on the one

hand, and between a man and society, on the other. As a civilization, males tend to naturalize

women, whilst women tend to feminize nature. In the same way that men have been taking

advantage of women for hundreds of years, the rate at which nature is exploited has accelerated

dramatically along with the advent of new technologies. In the quest of ecofeminist study,

numerous sorts of exploitation of nature and marginalization of a woman are traced. Text

analysis will be performed on the selected novels by Arundhati Roy, Kamila Shamsie, Uzma

Aslam Khan and Kamala Das. It is an important research that aims to familiarize the reader with

the severe environmental degradation and gender subjugation that exists in South Asia.
INTRODUCTION

The history of mankind is reflected in the human civilizations and cultures that can be

found all over the world. This history is comprised of a great number of forces and principles

that have been remembered for the contribution and involvement they had in the improvement of

mankind. In every aspect of life, men and women have made contributions on an equal level.

However, it is impossible to deny or dismiss the fact that biological distinctions have had a

significant impact on the status as well as the identity of women in the modern day. This is

something that cannot be done. Because the world belongs to all living things on it, man has an

obligation to share it fairly with all the other creatures that live here.

The Earth is shared by all of its inhabitants, including humans; as such, we have a need to

treat it with respect. The human race is playing a game called survival, but they are destroying

other living creatures for their own advantage in order to win. Although every living thing on

earth has an equal share in each of them, Because of the inextricable link between mankind and

the natural world, it is imperative that people learn to coexist with their natural surroundings in

order to prevent the kind of damage and devastation that would otherwise necessitate the

necessity for coexistence.

The work focuses on the symbiotic link between women and nature as a means of

defining the connection between ecology and feminism and, more importantly, as a means of

highlighting the unique contributions that women can make to environmental sustainability. The

novel concept of ecofeminism has been the subject of scant research, but an in-depth

examination is urgently needed now. As a result, the researcher decided to go headfirst into this

idea and assess its significance, and she's been reading and critiquing a few novels by South

Asian female novelists i.e. Arundhati Roy, Kamila Shamsie, Uzma Aslam Khan and Kamala Das
to get a sense of what ecofeminism is all about.

Ecofeminism can be considered to be one of the many repercussions and implications

that radical feminism, cultural feminism, and socialist feminism have on the sociopolitical

philosophy. The term "ecofeminism," which was first introduced to the world by Francoise

d'Eaubonne, has gained popularity in a great number of fields, one of which is literature. The

ecofeminism of Eaubonne holds the belief that oppression may be found in any part of the earth,

and a closer look reveals that it is both the direct and indirect effect of the exploitative nature of

patriarchal practice (1974). In addition to this, she believes that the widespread application of

patriarchal norms was a contributing factor in the depletion of natural resources and the

deterioration of the environment.

Researcher chose ecofeminism as a theoretical framework for her investigations for a

number of different reasons, including its many benefits. The foundation and reach of feminist

theories are both expanded as a result of this. In addition to this, it infuses the research that we

are going to start with a sense of completeness. The researcher places an unwavering emphasis

on the concept that genuine contribution to society and culture is the most important factor to

consider. Given these circumstances, ecofeminism stands out as a choice with a lot of potential

for achieving the goal. In today's world, politics is played not just by men but also by the global

product of human ingenuity, collectively referred to as culture. For the sake of elucidating the

concept, we can utilize the Derridean terminology of binary. Culture has, in all intents and

purposes, assumed the position of the first part of the Derridean binary, which, by implication,

means that the second part of the binary, namely nature, is expected to serve nothing other but

the egotistical goals and objectives of the first portion. When people first appeared on the scene,

nature existed in a state of freedom and autonomy, and it served as a serene backdrop for human
activities. But at this point, it has been taken over by culture, which is a representation of

patriarchy or masculine superiority. Along the same lines, males construct their second part of

the binary in the form of a female in order to take advantage of her and steal from her. Given this

context, it is easy for us to assert that civilization has feminized nature, whereas the natural

world has been masculinized by man. The central thesis of ecofeminism is that patriarchal

society's norms and beliefs have contributed to the subjugation of both women and the natural

world. This is the ecofeminist position on the issue. It disregards the contributions, knowledge,

and 'situatedness' of women. One of the oldest dichotomies that can be found in western thought

and literature is that between nature and culture. Ecofeminists argue that both aspects of this

duality have gendered connotations; specifically, that civilization is a masculine symbol and

nature is a female metaphor. The mind, objectivity, rationality, and public sphere are all

associated with masculine culture. On the other side, the characteristics that define a feminine

nature include the body, subjectivity, emotion, and the private sphere. Images such as "mother

nature" accomplish two different goals: they normalize the position of women in society and

they feminize nature. It means that women are only related with the ability to reproduce and

nurture. For a woman, carrying out these responsibilities is something that comes "naturally."

Ecofeminism opposes all of these ideas, including the notion that the world was built by men.

The popularity of ecofeminism among academics can be attributed, in part, to the

arguments that have been presented here. Because South Asian literature is oriented toward this

paradigm of ecology and feminism, the present researcher is tempted to continue her research

with the assistance of ecofeminism in the context of selected fiction from the South Asian

region.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The cultural idea of ecofeminism has provided inspiration for a great deal of important

pieces of work, and there are a lot of them. Its widespread value can be attributed to the fact that

it has a direct bearing on issues such as gender inequality and the destruction of natural

resources brought about by the excesses of capitalism. In his work titled "Ecofeminism in

Margaret Atwood's Surfacing," Bhalla (2019) takes a very original approach to analyzing the

relationship that exists between women and the natural world. The protagonist of the novel

Surfacing is an anonymous female character who finds herself caught between two different

worlds: the world of men and the world of nature. Because her spouse inflicts such severe

physical, mental, and emotional scars on her, she is forced to seek solace and restoration in the

natural world and the surrounding forest. The wood supplies her with everything that she

requires, and she discovers many things in the surrounding nature that are more caring and

inspirational to her. The beauty of the natural environment provides her the strength she needs

to one day stand up to her abusive spouse. The damage that is done to nature as well as to

women by men is comparable. The progression of science and technology is a metaphor for the

lust of the male species, which cries for more and more in terms of territory, women, and sexual

partners.

In his well-known book from 1988, "Staying Alive: Women, Ecology, and Survival in

India," Shiva examines the evolution of man from the time he lived in caves all the way up to the

present, when he uses technology. This is a highly relevant and interesting read. According to

Shiva, the earliest phase of life, in which women coexisted with nature and lived a natural life,

was the best possible existence for women. Colonialism is widely seen as the most egregious

example of capitalism since it enabled Western men to amass ever-greater wealth by

colonial masters, with the assistance of their technology, made it possible for the colonized man

to go to greater and greater lengths in his exploitation of women and nature. During this period

of colonialism, technology was the most heinous form of the curse that ruined the lives of both

men and women. Because these technologies employ both nature and woman in exactly the same

way as the absolute owners of them, they have given men an unfair advantage in almost every

aspect of human reproduction. Shiva is of the opinion that it is imperative for the modern world

to safeguard the liberty of women, nature, and animals so that one day, exploitation would be a

thing of the past and the more vulnerable members of society will be able to freely breathe and

express themselves.

Usmani (2017) highlights the negative link between men and industrialization in his

research on Ecofeminism in Anita Desai's Where Shall We Go This Summer. Usmani's study

was published in the journal Ecofeminism. The significance of nature as the companion and

comfort for man is decreasing as a result of advancements in scientific technology, and this is

something that is very suited to the male gender. It is commoditized by men in the same way that

they commodify women. The aesthetic quality of both the dominant and the minority group is

lost. It is often the case, according to her, that women do nothing to free themselves from the

oppressive grasp of patriarchy, which is why they find themselves in this predicament. As a

result of the dominance of patriarchy, they are frequently prevented from realizing their

aspirations, and they are constantly on their toes in preparation to enter the house of their

husband as an obedient bride. She is under the impression that the sole means by which she will

ever become fully realized is if she continues to rely on nature.

In Rao's research, both the natural world and the world of women are portrayed as being
riddled with mystery. An Examination of Feminism is depicted in the Book "Mistress of Spices"

(2016). Man, in his quest to satisfy his curiosity and learn more about these strange worlds, first

praises it, and then, as the mysteries are revealed, he constantly devalues it. Tilo, the main

character of the book, is placed in two completely different universes by the author in order to

demonstrate to the reader which one of these worlds is superior to the other. She acts as a natural

physician to treat any kind of illness that can be found in the jungle when she is there, and she

does so when she is surrounded by nature. Tilo is saved from drowning by serpents, which are

often interpreted as a symbol of poison. She has complete control over the natural world. Her

existence, both on the inside and the outside, has many things to be envious of, but the moment

she makes the decision to leave the forest, luck stops smiling on her. She is taken hostage by

pirates, and her parents are brutally murdered in the process.

All of these previously discussed pieces of study are significant in their own ways and are

frequently acknowledged by more recent scholars in their own work because of this. These

papers contain a substantial amount of important research points, all of which continue to capture

the attention of various academics. The fiction of Ali, Ghosh, and Hosseini has not been

approached from the standpoint of ecofeminism by any of these highly respected researchers to

this day. As a result, this particular piece of research.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Women relate themselves with the nature specifically land. Men in this area have a

special relation with land. They own their lands and so do they own their women. Both were

created free but ultimately end up as a property of their men. Female novelists of South Asia

have depicted this link very gracefully in their writings. The wave of feminism is very prominent
in their novels. The current research will aim to decode the male doings in this specific area to

suppress and subjugate nature and women on a whole.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:

 To find out the suppression of nature

 To find out the suppression of women

 To find out the role of men in suppressing both

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Q1. What are the ways in which men subjugate nature and women together in South Asia?

Q2. How female novelists depict this suppression at both levels?

Q3. How female novelists have created a link between women and land in their writings?

METHODOLOGY
The selected novels by Arundhati Roy, Kamila Shamsie, Uzma Aslam Khan and Kamala

Das are based on the lines of feminism and ecology to a wide extent. There is a link between

land and women.

Text analysis will be performed on the novels by these writers. Ecofeministic theory will

be visualized and studied in the selected novels.

Theoretical framework

The research that is currently being conducted is both analytical and qualitative in nature.

The ecofeminist theoretical framework will serve as the basis for this research. For the purposes

of this study, the formulations of Francoise d'Eaubonne, Greta Gaard, and Janis Birkland are

being utilized. Despite the fact that there are a great number of examples and variants of this

literary and cultural theory, these three authors have been given priority. In this section, a brief

discussion is held on the core concepts of the ecofeminist theoretical framework that was utilized

in this research. The males are never satisfied in their pursuit of land, forest, mineral deposits,

and women. They have created a vocabulary that is uniquely 'theirs,' in which they discursively

ideologize their connection to the environment around them. They are attempting, through their

rhetoric, to justify their dominance over women and the natural world. In ecofeminism,

patriarchal activities that work in the processes of their militarism, violence, and oppression

against females and nature are accounted for. These ecofeminist theorists also analyze, in great

length, the natural connection of the feminine characteristics with nature. They identify a variety

of parallels and differences between woman and the natural world. It would appear that the male

is the site where the various processes of capitalism are put into effect. Both colonialism and

technological advancement work to increase the dominant role of the man in exploitative

relationships, pitting the male against feminized nature and the naturalized female. The response

of woman and nature against those who vandalize their spaces is typically indifferent. Despite

this, there is a rising awareness that the relationship between nature and the oppressed woman

has not been broken. According to this theory, the liberation of woman from the cruel clutches of

the male is synchronized with the liberation of nature from the coercive and exploitative
strategies like modern developed machinery that exerts huge losses to nature and the living

creatures living there. This theory also believes that the freedom of woman from the cruel

clutches of the male is synchronized with the freedom of nature.

The following layout basically depicts the ongoing of this theory in the South Asian

society.

ECOLOGY Suppressed
Nature
Male Performance
ECOFEMINISM

FEMINISM Suppressed
women
REFERENCES
Ali, A. (1994). Twilight in Delhi. New Directions Paperbook

Bhalla, M. (2019). Ecofeminism in Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing. International Journal of

Eaubonne, F. (1974). Le Feminiseou la. Paris: P.Horay. Ghosh, A.

(2004). The hungry tide. London: Harper Collins

Hosseini, K. (2007). The Thousand Splendid Suns. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Rao, R. (2016). A Study of Feminism in the Novel Mistress of Spices. IOSR, Journal of
Humanities and Social Sciences, 21 (11), 46-49.doi:10.9790/0837-2111074649

Saleem, M. (2011). Analysing Tariq Rahman’s story The Dance of the Beardsin the light of
Barthes’ narrative codes. Language in India, 11(11), 647-666.

Saleem, M. & at el. (2015). The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot: A site for inertia in motion.
Gomal University Journal of Research, 31(2), 182- 193.

Saleem, M, At el. (2015). Analysing the Paralysis Phenomenon in Eveline by James Joyce. ELF
Annual Research Journal 17(1), 197-208.

Shiva, V. (1988). Staying alive: Women, ecology and survival in India. London: Zed Books.

Usmani, F. (2017). Ecofeminism in Anita Desai’s Where shall we Go this Summer.