Women and Ecology: An Eco-Feminist Reading of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

Abstract

Eco-feminism is based on the theory that the subjugation of women and the oppression of nature are linked together. Eco-feminism is linked to the study of the internal and intricate relationship between women and ecology. The theory projects that the subjugation of women and the oppression of nature are linked together. Discrimination and oppression due to power class, gender and race are directly related to the exploitation of the environment. In patriarchal societies, women and nature are ordinarily seen as fertile and capable of providing life, care and shelter. This paper highlights how Achebe uses the character of Ani, the earth goddess and Ezeani, the priest of the goddess, to showcase the similarities between women viz - a - viz their importance and nature in terms of fertility and production. It is equally an attempt to do a comparative analysis of the women in Things Fall Apart in line with nature. It x-rays the exploitation of women and environment in the novel. It will also explore the dominant male practices in Things Fall Apart relating to nature and women, how both are seen as innocent, female, productive and vulnerable to exploitation is the crux of the study.