VAC
Name of college : Maharani shree nandkunverba mahila arts and commerce college
Name : Vala nencyba dilipsinh
Year : 1st
Sem : 2nd
Subject : VAC
Paper name : Introduction to ecocriticism
Date :
Professer name : Rachna ma'am
Home assignment :-
What is Ecocriticism?
Ecocriticism is a modern branch of literary study that looks at the relationship between literature and the physical environment.
The Goal: To see how writers represent nature and how they address environmental issues like global warming and pollution.
The Purpose: It aims to bring balance back between humans and the earth.
The Difference: While many theories believe everything is created by language and society, ecocritics believe nature is real and plays a huge role in our lives.
Key Figures & History
Origin: The idea started in 1972 with Joseph Meeker’s "literary ecology." The term "Ecocriticism" was later coined by William Rueckert in 1978.
Growth: It became popular in the USA during the 1980s and in the UK (as "Green Studies") in the 1990s.
Founders: Cheryll Glotfelty: Considered the "mother/father" of the movement in the USA.
Jonathan Bate: A leading figure in England.
What Do Ecocritics Actually Do?
Ecocritics read books, poems, and essays to:
See how human life is balanced with nature.
Examine how human civilization harms or protects natural resources.
Analyze how "wilderness" or the "outdoors" is described.
Highlight that no part of the world is truly "untouched" anymore because of human impact.
Class assignment :-
Poem :- London by William Blake
● Summary :-
⇒ In this poem, the poet walks through the streets of London and observes the suffering of the people. He sees sadness, weakness, and pain on every face. He hears cries of men, children, and even babies. Blake feels that people are mentally trapped by society’s rules and control (“mind-forged manacles”). He talks about the poor chimney-sweeper, the unhappy soldier, and the young prostitute to show how different people suffer. The poem presents London as a place full of misery, injustice, and moral corruption.
● Short Analysis :-
1)) Themes :-
-Suffering and poverty
-Social injustice
-Loss of innocence
-Power and corruption
2)) Mood and tone :-
-- The mood of the poem is dark, sad, and serious. Blake’s tone is critical and sympathetic toward the poor.
3)) Important symbols :-
-- “Mind-forged manacles” → Mental slavery; people are trapped by fear, rules, and society.
-- “Blackening church” → The church is morally corrupted and ignores the suffering of the poor
-- “Palace-walls” with blood → The government is responsible for soldiers’ deaths.
-- “Marriage-hearse” → Marriage (a happy event) is connected with death, showing loss of purity and happiness.
4)) Main Message :-
-- Blake criticizes society, the church, and the government for causing human suffering. He shows that London is controlled by power and greed, and common people are the ones who suffer the most.
● Conclusion :--
In conclusion, the poem shows a dark and painful picture of London. William Blake highlights the suffering of common people and criticizes the government, church, and society for their injustice. Through powerful images and symbols, he shows that people are not only physically poor but also mentally trapped.
The poem gives a strong message that society must change and care for the weak and helpless. Blake makes us think about freedom, humanity, and social responsibility.
🌿 Essay on ecocriticism:-
Ecocriticism is a literary theory that studies the relationship between literature and the environment. It examines how nature, animals, and environmental issues are presented in poems, novels, and other literary works. Ecocriticism encourages readers to think about how humans treat nature and how literature reflects environmental concerns.
The term “Ecocriticism” became popular in the late 20th century. It developed as people became more aware of environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, global warming, and climate change. Ecocritics believe that literature can influence people’s attitudes toward nature and inspire them to protect the environment.
One of the main ideas of ecocriticism is that humans are not separate from nature. Instead, humans are a part of the natural world. Many literary works show the beauty of nature and highlight the harmful effects of industrialization and technology. For example, romantic poets like William Wordsworth wrote about the beauty and peace found in nature. Their works remind us that nature is valuable and should be respected.
Ecocriticism also studies how nature is described in different cultures and time periods. It questions human-centered thinking (anthropocentrism) and supports nature-centered thinking (ecocentrism). This means giving equal importance to plants, animals, rivers, forests, and all living beings.
In conclusion, ecocriticism is an important field of study that connects literature with environmental awareness. It teaches us to respect nature and understand our responsibility toward the Earth. By studying ecocriticism, we learn that protecting nature is not only a scientific duty but also a moral and cultural responsibility.
