The Book of Genesis: Genesis of Ecocriticism
| Author |
| Sehginlal Touthang |
| Date of Publication: December, 2024 |
| Volume: XXIII, No.- XXVI |
| Abstract |
| One of the greatest literary theories of the 20th century is ecocriticism. It emphasises on the enduring relationship that humans have with the natural world, as explored in literary works. The term ecocriticism was first used by William Rueckert in his easy ‘Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticism’ (1978). However, the roots of this budding, earthcentric literary theory lie deep in the past. Peter Barry divides the genesis of this recently developed theory in two: Great Britain and America. The former is concerned with the British Romanticism while the latter engaged with the American Transcendentalism. But the concept of ecocriticism has already started long before the Romanticism and the Transcendentalism. This study aims to transport readers and academics back to the universe’s inception. The Holy Bible claims that God appointed Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, to watch over the heavenly garden, Eden. The greatest joy that God could offer was to give the serene beauty and biophilia to the first human beings. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden as they disobeyed God. And they had to miss the tranquil, the quiet atmosphere of Eden Garden that they couldn’t get anywhere else, that was the most agonising penalty. This paper aims to make a connection between current ecological issues and Christians’ creationist beliefs. It tries to show that the genesis of creation is the genesis of eco critical theory. The fundamental principle of ecocriticism is as old as human civilisation, despite the fact that it is not quite a century old yet. Its origins require investigation and focus since they will enhance the theory’s comprehension and interpretation. |
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