Ecofeminist Analysis Research Articles

The Relationship between Women and Nature: An Ecofeminist Analysis of Aminatta Forna’s Ancestor Stones

Background This article examines the relationship between women and nature in Aminatta Forna’s Ancestor Stones from an ecofeminist point of view. Aminatta has four novels, and Ancestor Stones is one that addresses various significant themes. One issue the novel portrays is the interlinkage between African women and their natural environment, which this article focuses on. Methods To address and obtain the objective of this research, therefore, textual analysis was applied as a method to investigate the extracted texts from the novel. This approach enabled an in depth examination of the novel’s themes and characters representations. Results The analysis of the novel portrays the deep interconnection between women and the natural environment in many ways. Firstly, the author reveals that African women are represented as expert gardeners, which shows their deep indigenous knowledge. Beyond becoming daily consumption, these gardens convey history, which passes from generation to generation. This signifies women’s great accomplishment at gardening and cultivating their land and their intimacy with the natural environment in Africa. The novel also portrays the substantial relationship between women and rivers, forests, and other elements of the natural environment and even compares the situation of women and their lives with the condition of the nation at large. Finally, the novel depicts how seriously women take the degradation of nature and its impact. Conclusions In short, the novel acknowledges and values the knowledge that African women have about gardening, natural conservation, and agriculture. Besides, it urges the active inclusion of women in environmental decision making, emphasizing their crucial role in addressing ecological crisis

Anthropological Dimension of Wartime Ecocide: Ecofeminist Methodological Assessments

Purpose. The authors aim to disclose the anthropological dimension of ecocide during and after Russia’s war against Ukraine, relying on the multidisciplinary practices and intellectual production of ecofeminist women thinkers, including philosophers, sociologists, historians, psychologists, and others. The theoretical basis methodological approaches in philosophical anthropology, phenomenology, analytical philosophy, communicative philosophy, existentialism, ethics of justice, and ethics of care determine the study’s theoretical basis. Originality. For the first time, a systematic analysis of the anthropological dimension of ecocide has been carried out based on ecofeminist methodology. The specifics of the Ukrainian resistance to ecocide were revealed as part of a single struggle – an anti-imperial and ecological struggle for independence and prosperity. It is emphasized that during the war, the opposition to ecocide is a component of the fight for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, and therefore, the ideas of pacifism in this period are subordinated to this primary goal. After the war, preventing threats of ecocide should become an integral part of the struggle for stable peace and prosperity. Ecofeminist pacifist perspectives should be a priority among the most essential goals for that period. Conclusions. Ecofeminist methodological assessments offer valuable insights into the anthropological dimension of ecocide in wartime and post-war contexts, highlighting the complex interplay between gender, violence, and environmental destruction. By focusing on the experiences and perspectives of women and marginalized communities, ecofeminist analyses contribute to a more holistic understanding of ecocide and its impacts on both human populations and ecosystems.

An Ecofeminist Contribution to the Debates on the Neoextractivist Development Model in Latin America

This article presents a materialist ecofeminist critique of neoextractivism by highlighting its historical origins and elaborating its economic policy implications in Latin America. Three questions addressed are as follows: 1) How can materialist ecofeminism contribute to understanding the current dynamics of capitalist development in the Global South, 2) why (neo)extractivism hits women hardest, and 3) to what extent and how ecofeminist movements can shape a post-extractivist transition to a just and sustainable future. The article’s main argument is that exploitation and oppression in Latin America can be understood in terms of gender, race, and class and, therefore, require an intersectional analysis framework. Within this framework, post-extractivist alternatives in this region must incorporate an ecofeminist analysis to understand better how social expression systems (including sexism, white supremacy, and ecological crises) intersect and reinforce each other. In this framework, this study is intended to contribute to the growing literature and debate on the development and resistance dynamics of neoextractivism in Latin America, where long-standing racial and gender inequalities intersect with class inequalities.

Can There Be a Feminist Ethnography of the Undersea?

This article relies on an ethnography of commercial divers that involves the author’s training, certification, and activity underwater to propose an ecofeminist analysis of the undersea (furthermore with the undersea). It presents how feminist environmental theory engages with the ethnographic method of immersion and how underwater fieldwork grounded in feminist theory contributes, in turn, to reflections on the role of embodiment in the production of ethnographic knowledge. This article emphasizes the role of experiencing risky situations (gender-based violence and life-threatening situations) in the research process to address the reproduction of masculinity that is part of the commercial diving training supported by the profession’s equipment and technologies. By doing so, the article unveils how participating in underwater activities as part of fieldwork raises issues for feminist ethics, especially regarding multispecies relationality. Overcoming these ethical limits and reconciling ecofeminism and ethnography in the study of underwater ecologies can, as the article concludes, rely on creative methods.

Empowering Nature and Women: Ecofeminist Analysis of Atwood's The Edible Woman and Watson's Tiny Sunbirds Faraway

Empowering Nature and Women: Ecofeminist Analysis of Atwood's The Edible Woman and Watson's Tiny Sunbirds Faraway

An Ecofeminist Analysis of Nature Imagery in Sylvia Plaths Ariel

Sylvia Plaths Ariel, characterized by dark themes, idiosyncratic imagery, and raw emotional intensity, holds an enduring fascination for readers and critics alike. While much scholarship has examined this collection through a psychoanalytic or biographical lens, this research seeks to uncover an underexplored dimension of Ariel its ecofeminist undertones. The abundant nature imagery provides a particularly rich source for the investigation of her pre-ecofeminist consciousness. This research adopts a mixed-methods design that combines a corpus-based approach with an in-depth analysis of representative imagery. Excel-based calculation results show that the relatively large presence of nature imagery infuses Ariel with a riveting, dreamy atmosphere. The textual analysis further reveals that Plaths subtle interweaving of the female experience and the natural world resonates with ecofeminist notions of patriarchal oppression and mutual liberation. By unearthing the ecofeminist dimensions of Ariel, this research aims to provide fresh insights into this masterpiece while shedding light on the richness and complexity of Plaths thematic concerns and poetic expression.

Women Speaking Prophecy in Lucan's Civil War : An Ecofeminist Analysis

Women Speaking Prophecy in Lucan's Civil War : An Ecofeminist Analysis

Woman as a Savior and Nurturer of Nature: An Ecofeminist Analysis of Kamala Markandaya’s Nectar in a Sieve

The degradation of land and ecosystem and its effects on humans is the biggest issue today. These issues have numerous effects on human existence, including decreased access to clean water, loss of biodiversity, food scarcity, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. In this context, the concept of ecofeminism has gained new significance as it offers a unique perspective on the intersection of environmental issues and gender. Ecofeminism is a philosophical and social movement that recognizes the interconnectedness of the oppression of women and the degradation of the environment. Ecofeminists argue that both the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women stem from similar societal structures and belief systems that prioritize profit, power, and domination over women and the natural world. This paper attempts to study Kamala Markandaya, Nectar in a Sieve from an ecofeminist perspective and how power and dominance are themes that appear throughout this novel and have a direct impact on both the world of women and the world of Nature. The novel delves into topics such as destitution, exploitation, and the devastation of the natural world through the experiences of its female protagonist. Ecofeminism emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to environmental issues that takes into account the interconnectedness of all living beings. It recognizes the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices that promote sustainability and respect for nature. Additionally, ecofeminism calls for the inclusion of women in decision-making processes related to environmental issues, as they are often the ones most affected by environmental degradation.

Research Notes: Animal Colonialism in North America: Decolonial Animal Ethic and Indigenous Veganism in Canada and Mexico and Ecofeminist Analysis of Eden Robinson’s The Trickster Trilogy and Guadalupe Nettle’s Natural Histories

This article treats colonization as an interspecies issue and explores the intersection of animal colonialism and gender violence in North America and their representation in recent writings by two prominent writers from Canada and Mexico, namely, in Eden Robinson’s The Trickster Trilogy and Guadalupe Nettle’s Natural Histories. It employs the so-called decolonial animal ethic proposed by the scholar and writer Billy-Ray Belcourt (Driftpile Cree) as both a theoretical and a practical framework through which non-human animals are seen as “colonial subjects” and partners in decolonization alongside Indigenous peoples.

Ecocriticism in Steven Becker: A critical study of Tuna Tango

This dissertation presents an ecofeminist analysis of an excerpt from Tuna Tango and unveils a nuanced depiction of women entrenched within patriarchal norms and subjected to the male gaze. The text's language objectifies women, prioritizing male desires, perpetuating detrimental stereotypes, and highlighting issues pertaining to consent. This revelation serves as a compelling call to scrutinize the gendered power dynamics and objectification pervasive in literature and society. Tuna Tango weaves a tapestry of environmental values that shape our perceptions of the natural world. These values underscore the importance of appreciating nature's beauty, promoting conservation, and acknowledging the ethical responsibility of environmental stewardship. They illuminate the awareness of environmental consequences and economic pressures, fostering a holistic approach that demands respect and responsibility as stewards of the Earth. The conclusion of the passage from Tuna Tango underscores the potential for women to unite and support each other when confronted with external challenges and adversity. This representation shatters gender stereotypes, emphasizing the strength of female solidarity against male-centric power dynamics. It aligns with ecofeminist principles, accentuating the agency and power derived from women's collaborative efforts and mutual support. Tuna Tango employs vivid descriptive imagery, symbolism, metaphor, and juxtaposition to artfully portray the natural world. This evocative language and imagery immerse the reader in sensory experiences and emotional connections with nature, enriching the understanding of the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment. This multifaceted portrayal illuminates the beauty, challenges, and complexities inherent in this interaction, encouraging a profound appreciation of the natural world.

Women and Nature in the Margin: An Ecofeminist Analysis of Parijat’s Shirishko Phool [Blue Mimosa

This research paper explores the multifaceted themes of women’s and nature’s subordination in Parijat’s seminal Nepali novel, Shirishko Phool [Blue Mimosa]. Recognized as a cornerstone of Nepali literature, this work serves as a poignant critique of patriarchal and anthropocentric societal structures that marginalize both women and the environment. Through an ecofeminist and literary analysis, this study explores how Parijat intricately weaves together the fate of her female protagonist with the degradation of nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these forms of subjugation. Employing a qualitative methodology, this paper utilizes thematic analysis to unravel the layered narrative and symbolism embedded within the text. The findings illuminate Parijat’s critique of societal norms perpetuating these forms of subordination, while also advocating for a more harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and between men and women. The analysis underscores the significance of Shirishko Phool as not only a literary masterpiece but also a call to action for gender and environmental justice in Nepali society, and beyond.

Indigenous and Ecofeminist Reclamation and Renewal: The Ghost Dance in Silko’s Gardens in the Dunes

Early in the development of ecofeminist literary criticism, white feminists borrowed shallowly and unethically from Indigenous cultures. Using that underinformed discourse to interpret Native American women’s literature resulted in idealizing and silencing Indigenous women’s voices and concerns. Native American feminist literary critics have also asserted that a well-informed, inclusive “tribal-feminism” or Indigenous-feminist critical approach can be appropriate and productive, in that it focuses on unique and shared imbalances created by white patriarchal colonization, thinking, and ways of being that affect Indigenous and non-Indigenous women and cultures and the environment. In her third novel, Gardens in the Dunes, Leslie Marmon Silko interweaves an ecological critique of white imperialist botanical exploitation of landscapes and Indigenous peoples globally with both a celebration of Native American relationships to the land and Indigenous women’s resourceful resistance and an ecofeminist reclamation of European pagan/Great Goddess iconography, sacred landscapes, and white feminist autonomy. Expanding on earlier Indigenous-feminist readings, this ecofeminist analysis looks at a key trope in Gardens, the Ghost Dance, an environmentally and ancestrally focused nineteenth-century sacred resistance and reclamation rite. Silko’s is a late-twentieth-century literary adaptation/enactment in what is the continuing r/evolution of the Ghost Dance, a dynamic figure in Native American literature and culture.

From Primordial Being into Genders: Ecofeminist Reading of the Biblical Human Creation Narratives in Rabbinic Literature

This article examines the biblical narrative regarding human creation in the light of rabbinic literature, contesting its hierarchical interpretations and calling for ethical rereading of the text. The novel reading is guided by fundamental Jewish principles—bal tashḥit (“not destroying”), tsaʻar baʻlei ḥayyim (“distress of living creatures”), and tiqqun ha-ʻolam (“repair of the world”)—promoting all-encompassing justice. Seeking support from ancient Near Eastern myths, the paper presents a systematic ecofeminist analysis of the biblical narrative describing, as is argued, the creation of a primordial being (Gen. 1:26–28), the formation of humanity into a sustainable part of the ecosystem (Gen. 2:7), and the construction of genders (Gen. 2:18–23). The close reading of the creation story is informed by postmodern hermeneutics emphasizing reader response and meaning making.

Review of Pink Hats and Ballots: An Ecofeminist Analysis of Women’s Political Analysis in the Age of Trump, Coronavirus, and Black Lives Matter

Review of Pink Hats and Ballots: An Ecofeminist Analysis of Women’s Political Analysis in the Age of Trump, Coronavirus, and Black Lives Matter

WAR, WOMEN AND ECOLOGY: RETELLING RAMAYANA THROUGH SARAH JOSEPH’S THE VIGIL

The Vigil (2014) is the English translation of the Malayalam novel Oorukaval (2008) written by Sarah Joseph and translated by Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan. The novel recounts Ramayana from the perspective of war, women and ecology, through the eyes of Angada, a monkey as evolved as human, whose father Bali was killed by Rama. Angada’s anger, anxiety and agony are picturised in the novel while he is forced to join Rama’s army in search of the later’s wife Sita. When the novel divulges the journey of Angada prepared for the Rama-Ravana war, it also becomes rewriting of Ramayana from an ecocentric, subaltern, female as well as Third world perspective. It also describes the far-reaching consequences of war, the perilous ecological destruction and exploitation of the underprivileged due to the greed and quest for power. While exploring and examining the narration of nature, women, and the marginalised in the novel from an ecofeminist perspective through textual and content analysis, the paper argues that the novel propounds a new sense of eco-masculinity as opposed to the toxicity associated with the hegemonic masculinity that is war here. In addition, the non-human perspective of ecofeminism and the ‘women-other human Others-nature interconnections’ are vividly manifested in the novel. The ecofeminist analysis of war and its disastrous effects on women and the nature also unveil the ingrained philosophical standpoints of the novel with respect to sustainable development. At the end, Angada throws away his weapon, along with the hatred and revenge that he has been carrying, realising its burden over humanity. Over the last thirty years of the political climate of India, Temple of Rama in Ayodhya is a contested matter and re-reading of Ramayana at this context is extremely significant, as the novel urges for re-inventing a culture of mutual co-existence.

Mavka as Willow. An Ecofeminist Analysis of Lesja Ukrajinka’s Forest Song

Lesja Ukrajinka’s Lisova pisnja (1911) can be read as an eco-parable about Mavka, the forest nymph who transforms into a willow tree in danger of being felled. This paper provides a pioneering ecofeminist analysis of Lisova pisnja; it revises traditional approaches to the depiction of nature in the drama by combining them with an awareness of anthropogenic environmental degradation (the deforestation of the Volyn’ Polissja where it is set) and androcentrism, which is largely responsible for this degradation. After a brief review of key concepts in ecocriticism and ecofeminism, along with an overview of the state of eco-scholarship in Ukrainian studies and the scholarship on Lesja Ukrajinka within Ukrainian literary criticism, the paper analyzes the interrelated depiction of gender and nature, revealing Ukrajinka’s environmentalism and feminism and, at the same time, the ways in which she represents the world of the forest as mimicking and perniciously reinforcing human gender hierarchies.

Connecting feminist, antiracist, and animal politics: A bridge too far?

Abstract In the past decade, animal and antiracist politics are on the rise in the Netherlands and Belgium. Both integrate feminism into their political practice, albeit in divergent ways. Nevertheless, their core concerns are generally viewed as antithetical on a conceptual, normative, and politically practical level. This paper explores the extent to which feminist, antiracist, and animal concerns are (in)commensurable. Coupling the ecofeminist analysis of dualism developed by Val Plumwood with recent developments in black studies advanced by Claire Jean Kim and Zakiyyah Iman Jackson, processes of animalisation and dehumanisation are scrutinised. It is demonstrated that the onto-epistemological categories of gender, race, and animality connect on the level of being subjected to the logic of domination exemplary of Western thought (1), and on the level of being the abject yet constitutive Others of the normative category of ‘the human’ (2). Subsequently, to build bridges between feminist, antiracist, and animal advocacy movements, it is argued that animal advocates need to critically question the assumption of ‘human privilege’ and stop using slavery analogies, while feminists and antiracists should aspire to divest from human supremacy. A new approach to collective liberation in the Low Countries is needed, one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of gender, race, and animality alike.

Woman as embodiment of nature: A cultural ecofeminist analysis of 'The Last Quarter of the Moon'

The paper explores influences of postmodern technologies over the deep-rooted ideological order of the ancient Chinese Evenki tribe in Chi Zijian’s ‘The Last Quarter of the Moon.’ The technological advancement and subsequent cultural transformation resulted in a great imbalance in the ecology of rivers, mountains, and forests and the feminine gender was the recipient of most of the consequences and disparities because of the women’s true spiritual socializing-relationship with nature. The divine embodied bond between women and nature was a source of inspiration and empowerment for the Evenki women. Modern way of life and lust for material progress blinded Evenki vision to the healing powers of nature once witnessed and utilized by their ancestors. The paper critiques the unsettling society of ancient deep-rooted spiritual order of Evanki based on their interdependent relations with spirits, the woman and mother nature. The study subscribes to the theoretical postulates of eco-cultural feminism as theorized by Merchant (2005) and Starhawk (1990). The relationship between woman and nature got destroyed when the world of Evenki shrunk under the spill of postmodern race and evaded by greed for money. The technological advancement and the resultant tempering in nature is a suppression for both women and nature.

Sustainability in the Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum: an ecofeminist analysis

ABSTRACT Inspired by the activism of young people in response to growing calls for climate justice, this discussion examines the rich possibilities to more meaningfully engage with the interconnections between human and environmental health in the AC:HPE. We explore how the Sustainability cross-curriculum priority is articulated throughout the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum (AC:HPE). Adopting an ecofeminist framework based on the work of Val Plumwood, we follow the current of Sustainability as it flows through the AC:HPE, to reveal the limited ways it manifests, as well as the points at which greater inclusion is possible. Given our analysis, we focus on expanding definitions and interconnections in the AC policy language to resituate Sustainability in more ecological and ethical terms, and thereby activate new pedagogical possibilities for teachers and students.

J.G. Ballard’ın The Drowned World Romanına Ekofeminist bir Yaklaşım

J.G. Ballard is one of the most influential British authors of the 20th century. Renowned for his surrealist works of fiction, Ballard delivered the primary examples of climate fiction. The Drowned World is J.G. Ballard’s second novel of a post-apocalyptic quadrilogy. The novel tells the story of a scientist’s quest for survival amidst a global flood. Moreover, Beatrice Dahl happens to be the only woman left alive in London and the sole woman character of the novel itself. To that end, ecofeminism is a comprehensive theory which combines feminist thought with the school of ecocriticism. The Drowned World is a novel that incorporates notions of social ecofeminism through the character of Beatrice. This article aims to provide a social ecofeminist analysis of Ballard’s The Drowned World by focusing on the character of Beatrice Dahl. All in all, the relationship between patriarchal capitalism and the oppression of women and nature is exposed in the article with specific references to the novel.