ekokritiikki

Ekokritiikki, also known as ecocriticism, is an interdisciplinary field of literary and cultural study that explores the relationship between literature and the physical environment. It emerged in the late 20th century, drawing from various fields such as environmental science, philosophy, and literary theory. Ekokritiikki examines how literature represents nature, environmental issues, and human interactions with the natural world.

A central concern of ekokritiikki is to understand the ways in which texts construct our understanding of the environment and to analyze the ethical implications of these representations. It often critiques anthropocentrism, the view that humans are the central or most significant entities in the universe, and seeks to give voice to non-human elements of the environment. Ekokritiikki also investigates how literature can contribute to environmental awareness and action.

Key themes in ekokritiikki include ecofeminism, which links the exploitation of women and the exploitation of nature; environmental justice, which examines the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities; and the concept of the sublime, often invoked in relation to awe-inspiring natural landscapes. Scholars in ekokritiikki analyze a wide range of texts, from ancient poetry to contemporary novels, films, and other cultural productions, looking for insights into humanity's complex and often problematic relationship with the Earth.