Aspects of Ecofeminism in the Poetry of Fadwa Tuqan and Linda Hogan

Abstract

Ecofeminism, otherwise known as “ecological feminism”, defines a branch of the feminist theory that explores the interconnectedness of two fundamental considerations- nature and women. The name ‘ecofeminism’ can best be conceptualized as the authorship of Francoise d’Eaubonne, a French feminist whose work emphasized the connection between social and environmental matters. Unlike the feminist theory whose major concern is addressing the oppressions of women in society, ecofeminism uses the fundamental feminist characteristics of gender equality. It represents a revaluation of the nonlinear or non-patriarchal structure, and shows a great respect for organic processes to foster the value of collaboration, holistic connectedness, and the benefits of intuition. The principle purpose of this paper is to explore the theme of ecofeminism as represented in classical and contemporary poetry, with particular emphasis on the works of two influential poets- Fadwa Tuqan and Linda Hogan. An analysis of Tuqan's and Hogan's poetic works shows strong ideas of ecofeminism, and this justifies the selection of their works in exploring the theory that explains nature in the context of patriarchal dominance. In essence, both Tuqan and Hogan gain their rightful appreciation as ecofeminists who have managed to use their poetic wits to advocate for an ecological philosophy, where the connection between humanity and nature is viewed as one that demands to be fixed through respecting the differences and similarities between the two. The works of the two poets, as described in preliminary facets of the evaluation, show significant similarities between the early Palestinian concept of ecofeminism and that of contemporary American ecofeminist in that both deal with the themes of women and nature versus a male-centred society. Tuqan and Hogan go a long way using their feministic poetry to describe the destruction of nature as consequences of conceptual separation between nature and human beings. Both also believe that the problem could be solved through accepting a new ecological theory that accepts humanity as an integral part of nature, and women as equivalents of men