An Ecoliterature Approach to Environmental Conservation: Take Four Selected Literary Works as Examples

Abstract

The reciprocal relationship between humans and nature is determined based on their respective natures. This mutualism symbiosis is based on a relationship of use for mutual prosperity. Living together with nature means living in cooperation, mutual help and tolerance. The whole relationship becomes an inseparable entity; all things are interrelated and functional and have the same goal of protecting and preserving nature. Protecting the environment is key to the survival of fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and even humankind. However, the endless human needs often make humans act excessively, exploiting the environment as much as possible to meet the needs of life, resulting in severe environmental damage. This is the rationale for raising the theme of environmental conservation through literary media by referring to the concept and theory of eco-literature. The whole research is conducted using a qualitative descriptive method that focuses on content analysis, revealing the concept of nature conservation. The data sources are obtained from literary works randomly taken: Lines Written in Early Spring, a poem by William Wordsworth, Ode to Nightingale, a poem by John Keats, Nature, an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson and An Enemy of the People, a drama by Henrik Ibsen. The results show that all the literary works chosen stand as the representative of literature on environmental conservation and literary works are sure to become an appropriate medium to teach and awaken people’s consciousness of the importance of nature conservation.