Ecofeminism in a Nutshell: A Collection of Literary Works with Ecofeminist Implications
When initially presented with the concept of ecofeminism, being the intellectual framework connecting the phallocentric societal superstructure with both the devastation of the surrounding environment and greater oppression of women, I was justifiably speculative- not through my thick-headed male bias (at least I hope not), but rather my critical approach to ideological philosophies like this one. This connection, at first glance, appealed to me as inappropriately loose and vindictive of the male sex, placing full accountability of environmental destruction solely on men while it should be regarded as a folly of the human species as a whole. Though questionable, it occurred to me that I couldn’t automatically dismiss ideas that I only nominally understood, rendering ecofeminism a fitting subject for this anthology. Below you will find a short collection of literary pieces that I found encapsulate ecofeminist thought and provide speculative parties with a strapping introduction to this complex philosophical position.
The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution by Carolyn Merchant
Merchant’s expository work The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution has been recognized as among the establishing pieces of ecofeminist thought and a hallmark of the feminist movement as a whole. Through scrutinizing historical and literary analysis, Merchant argues that previous to the modern scientific evolution, the dominant societal conception entailed an unspoken respect for nature and the surrounding external world, thereby promoting a chivalrous and comparatively more positive approach to the treatment of women due to the perceived connection of the female form and the natural world. The resulting mechanistic worldview created a hierarchal inclination towards the scientifically-justified male domination of nature, and henceforth women. The Death of Nature serves as a comprehensive introduction to ecofeminist thought, highlighting the connection between the manipulation of the environment and women by the patriarchal hegemony, as well as the origins and decimation of the perception of a feminine natural world.
Solar Storms by Linda Hogan
With the vast majority of ecofeminist works being analytical position arguments and naturalistic poetry, it is uncommon to come across a novel that masterfully captures ecofeminist praxis while maintaining an entertaining and captivating narrative. Solar Storms follows the first-person perspective of a young woman with a past of physical abuse and abandonment as she is reconnected with her ancestral roots not only as a Native American, but also as a woman. Through her newly found self-actualization, she and her family endeavor to prevent the construction of a dam which existence threatens the ecological wellbeing of the region and in-turn their way of life. This illuminating novel evokes in the reader a sense of responsibly to actively oppose the oppressive power structures that subjugate women and serve only to ravish the surrounding environment for materialistic purposes and monetary gain.
Ecofeminist and Mothering Ruminations: An Online Collection of Social Justice Poetry and Prose by Heidi Hutner <http://ecofeminism-mothering.blogspot.com/>
Year after year, successfully loving
Successfully married couples, coupling”
While I would not usually be so bold as to include an online blog in a literary anthology, “Ecofeminist and Mothering Ruminations” is a very special exception. Hutner’s blog includes a vast collection of her poetry, prose, and literary essays- the majority of which include profound ecofeminist commentary and demonstrate a contemporary approach to opposing environmentally-irresponsible repressive state apparatuses. Each piece, her poetry in particular, holds great potential for a casual reader seeking to improve their understanding of ecofeminism without having to commit to more demanding pieces of literature- still capturing the essence of the theory with smooth artistic and intellectual wherewithal. Hutner’s work may not be your first stop in exploring ecofeminist thought, though it is certainly worth the time and consideration!
“‘I am not a Tree with my Root in the Soil’: Ecofeminist Revisions of the Tree/Root Dialectics in Sylvia Plath’s Poetry” by Irena Ragaišienė
Heated, articulate, and ecofeminist to its core, Irena Ragaišienė’s critical essay “‘I am not a Tree with my Root in the Soil’: Ecofeminist Revisions of the Tree/Root Dialectics in Sylvia Plath’s Poetry” draws on ecofeminist theory to vehemently oppose Ted Hughes’s interpretation of Plath’s poetic work, arguing that it is entirely reliant on a hierarchal comparison established by male literary figures. She continues by suggesting that Hughes’s patriarchal perspective of the place of women in the literary canon is based upon the limiting connection between women and nature relative to the culture/nature binary. It is difficult to condense Ragaišienė’s complex perspective into a brief synopsis- a close individual read is highly encouraged. While her essay is by no means an easy read, it serves as a passionate demonstration of ecofeminist praxis in an academic setting.
