Exploring Ecofeminism: A Deep Dive into Sentimentality in Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams

Abstract

Ecofeminism explores the connection between women and nature in culture, religion and literature. Ecofeminists addresses the parallels between the oppression of nature and the oppression of women. The men are the curators of culture and women are the curators of nature. The men dominate the women and the humans dominate the nature. Ecofeminism emphasizes that both women and nature must be respected. The world in which human beings live is not only made with the language and social elements but also with the kingdom of nature. Human beings are completely depended on the natural resources for their livelihood. Human life is heavily affected by the nature and its environment when the problem of availability of fresh water has become acute. The problem of eliminating industrial waste has become a chronic problem for the survival of human civilization. Barbara Kingsolver, the prominent writer of American literature has a close affinity with human and non-human nature. Being a regional writer of the new west America and the representative of ecofeminist fiction, Kingsolver specifically states that the attachments of land along with human mind are crucial vectors in the resolution of the environmental conflicts. The present paper aims at analyzing how the land suffers because of its inability to contribute to the basic needs for the survival of human beings. Kingsolver affirms the view that if the mentality of human beings considerably changes then their attitude towards nature, will be a boon for their life and that is thoroughly ensured.