Interconnectedness and Existence: An Ecocritical Exploration of Ted Hughes's Moortown"

Abstract

Ted Hughes’s Moortown, a poetry collection based on the author’s experiences of a farmer in Devon in the early ’70s, embraces thought-provoking reflections on the relations between human beings and the nature. This paper therefore explores through an ecocritical lens, how Hughes paints the harshest realities and unforgiving requirements of farming life while capturing the raw beauty of Devon countryside. Using vivid imagery he not only describes the adversity of the rural life but also fulfills the function of the blatantly didactic, compelling the readers to ponder upon what it means to be in harmony with the land. The series employs animal images as a fundamental element, representing survival, brutality, and the profound interdependence of all living entities. Hughes's poetry is imbued with existential contemplations on life, death, and the cyclical essence of existence, encompassing both human and animal experiences within the natural realm. Moortown examines the ethical ramifications of human behavior on the environment, providing a reflection on our role in nature and cultivating a greater awareness for the surrounding world. The examination of these themes renders it particularly pertinent to current environmental issues and a captivating topic for ecocritical scrutiny.