Environmental Destruction and Colonialism in Amitav Ghosh's The Nutmeg's Curse.

Abstract

Amitav Ghosh’s The Nutmeg’s Curse explores the deep connections between colonialism, capitalism, and environmental destruction, offering a critique of how these forces have shaped the modern ecological crisis. By tracing the history of the nutmeg trade in the 17th century and the violent Dutch colonization of the Banda Islands, Ghosh links the exploitation of natural resources during colonial times to contemporary ecological degradation. This paper examines how Ghosh uses storytelling as a form of resistance, blending personal, historical, and cultural narratives to highlight the interconnectedness of environmental and human violence. Ghosh critiques the Anthropocene, arguing that its roots lie in centuries of colonial exploitation and capitalist expansion, which continue to harm marginalized communities and ecosystems. Through comparisons with his other work, The Great Derangement, and postcolonial ecological literature by authors like Arundhati Roy and Vandana Shiva, Ghosh’s arguments are situated within a broader literary context. Ultimately, this paper contends that The Nutmeg’s Curse calls for a radical rethinking of humanity’s relationship with nature and the global economy, offering important insights into contemporary environmental and geopolitical debates.