Analysis of the relationship between eco imagination and eco-philosophy.

Analysis of the relationship between eco imagination and eco-philosophy.

Literature has been used as a lens to magnify issues within the society and environment at large. Literary writers such as Kamau Brathwaite and Derek Walcott use poetry to symbolize the effects left behind by colonialism. Walcott alludes to the tourism taking place as a form of oppression that leads to environmental degradation.  Colonialists, through capitalism, want to erect tourist attractions such as malls that are a modern way of separating them from what is rightfully their own, their land, roots, and home. Val Plumwood’s androcentrism and anthropocentrism expose the masculinity within the environment with a more significant detailed look into feminist theories that lay focus on the plight of all women and how androcentrism not only affects them but the environment as well. Through both excellent positionings of this literature, the critique of ecocriticism and evaluation of other centrism can emphasize the importance and foundation of eco-philosophy.

2. Synoptic accounts of text.

Val Plumwood’s critique of androcentrism and anthropocentrism only asserts the foundations of ecofeminism, which stems from the comprehension that male centrism is at the center of the oppression of the environment and women, which are interrelated and unjustified. According to Val Plumwood, Eco philosophy is imperative to the green movement and criticizing anthropocentrism, the idea that humans are central to all is the role of Eco philosophy. Plumwood further describes that our conceptual fabric determines the values, beliefs, and ideas that go beyond just humans and how we see ourselves, but transcend into how we visualize the world.

She states that the rationalization of the human species should exceed our species to include the environment at large as a way to destroy anthropocentrism.

Plumwood critique’s understanding of anthropocentrism by denouncing the idea that to satiate both humans and nature, the extrication from our location is necessary to view the world from a cosmic viewpoint. Plumwood elucidates that for us to be able to understand the perspective of nature or the environment, it is vital to have consideration and put ourselves in a position to appreciate its shoes. The ecofeminist project aims to debunk the ignorance associated with the poor understanding of anthropocentrism and reposition the idea that ecofeminism requires empathy and for us to go beyond our needs to include other parts of nature. Through the critique of anthropocentrism and androcentrism, Plumwood deconstructs the true meaning of having man and humans at the center of importance while disregarding the rest of nature. It is due to this understanding that other forms of centrism can be evaluated on an enormous scope and magnitude. Anthropocentrism and androcentrism are at the base of sexism, racism, and colonialism, and accurate understanding and repositioning of our beliefs are at the core of the green movement and ecofeminism.

James McCorkle alludes that Caribbean and African poets and literary writers should write more on the environment by touching on the history of its people, the ills to its indigenes, and ecofeminism. In James McCorkle’s re-visioning a poetics of landscape: Resistance and continuum in the poetry of Kamau Brathwaite and Derek Walcott, he evaluates two poems by the authors, and according to him, both writers point out that capitalism through putting up of tourist structures is at the epicenter of the destruction of the region. Walcott’s numerous elaborates the relationship between the protagonists with the environment as symbolic. Achille and Hector are fishermen vying for the love of the same woman. They are both Africans who have to find their roots. Hector’s ritual of being in commune with nature is shown by his act of felling trees to build a canoe. The relationship with nature is one of reciprocity, failure to which has consequences. It is elaborated when Hector changes the profession in search of a better life and becomes a taxi driver in the tourism industry, leaving his connection with nature behind. He consequently gets into an accident and dies.

Another protagonist in the famed Omeros is the crippled Philoctete, who is an isolated character that embodies the Caribbean beliefs and culture. He suffers from a wound that he gets from a rusty anchor. The injury is symbolic of the oppression the Caribbean indigenes faced under colonialism. Through the help of Ma Kilman, Philoctete can have his wound cured, and can take part in the cultural festivities. The healing is symbolic of the freedom of the peoples from the ills and the historical burden of oppression. Ma Kilman procures the healing properties from nature. This shows the importance of the earth in healing and fights for ecofeminism in returning to the roots. Walcott’s work shows the importance of the Caribbean writers and how they use it as a tool to show the importance of the green movement and how ecofeminism is at the forefront of creating a proper balance in the environment.

Ecofeminism, anthropocentrism, and androcentrism are all common themes in the literary work of Uchenna Vasser, the double bind: women and the environment in Chambacu and a saint is born in Chima. Vasser demonstrates these central themes through various stories, particularly one based in Chambacu. He details the hardships faced by afro Latin people. These communities rank women close to nature, and their very existence seems to be to serve men who mistreat them. According to Vasser, women are reliant on men as their providers. Consequently, men feel that their mistreatment is justified. In both women and the environment in Chambacu and a saint is born in Chima, it is clear that the plight of women reveals the relationship between master and slave, man and woman, and man and nature. They show the condition of women as casualties of the double bind in the marginalized Colombian communities. Both novels also reveal the sickness of the people as a result of the environment. Still, it is women that carry the burden the most, facing conditions like barrenness, and have to deal with it despite being unwed, prostitutes, or widows. Vasser points out the role of women in healing the environment as it is they that are close to nature and have the vulnerability and empathy for ecological mindfulness, thus the importance of ecofeminism.

In conclusion, the literary works of Walcott only serve to remind us of the significance of nature’s relationship with a man. By symbolizing the historical connection of the Caribbean people with the land and how colonization causes the oppression of the people and consequent destruction of the earth. Val Plumwood’s work only goes further to define the meaning and effect of anthropocentrism and androcentrism. Uchenna Vasser also adds to the importance of ecofeminism and how it is at the center of ecological mindfulness and fights against androcentrism. At the foundation of both works, it is clear that the center of the destruction to nature is a man, and until we change our perspectives and beliefs to be more eco friendly, then the effects will keep on getting worse.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited.

McCorkle James. Re-visioning a poetics of landscape: Resistance and continuum in the poetry of Kamau Brathwaite and Derek Walcott. African and diasporan literature and sustainability.

Plumwood, V. (1995). Androcentrism and Anthropocentrism: Parallels and Politics. The Twenty-Second Annual Richard Baker Philosophy Colloquium on Ecofeminist Perspectives, University of Dayton, OH, 12-13. In Eaton, Introducing Ecofeminist Theologies.

Vasser, U. (2014). The Double Bind: Women and the Environment in Chambacú, Black Slum, and A Saint is Born in Chimá by Manuel Zapata Olivella. Eco-Imagination: African and Diasporan Literatures and Sustainability. Africa Word Press.