Applying Schauffler’s Role of ‘Ecological Conversion’ in N. Scott Momaday’s Writings to Shape Human Bondage with Nature

Abstract

American literature and its canon for the past few decades have been frequently subjected to the study of eco criticism. The contemporary eco criticism pays more attention to the works of native American writers categorizing their works as „nature or land based‟. The four elements of nature – earth, air, water and fire form a major part of their literature. Marina Schauffler in her work Turning to Earth identifies and labels a group of writers as „ecological writers‟ since, “these writers integrate a profound spiritual and philosophical sense about the earth into their practical lives”. In this work she also exploits „six phases of ecological conversion‟ namely remembrance, reflection, revelation, reciprocity, resistance and ritual. Among these group of „ecological writers‟, she deals with one of the major native American writers and Pulitzer prize winner N. Scott Momaday. His works serve as a major source for the study of ecological elements. According to Schauffler, these six phases have eventually helped the writers to transform themselves and experience an ecological awareness and awakening. Momaday‟s works are enriched with resources of nature and through the exploration of his usage of „ecological conversions‟, it is plausible to enlighten the mankind about the strong bond with the nature. The concept of theory leads to practices and therefore the literature at the basic level in a theory form may induce the humankind practically to conserve and ensure the preservation of nature. Native American literature serves as a major source which can pave way for the promotion of preserving nature in practice.