Abstract
This paper focuses on the role and impact of nature on life and literature briefly. A few fairy tales of Andersen are taken up to highlight this. It defines Ecology and Ecocriticism and discusses a few fairy tales of Andersen from that angle. Intimate relationship between the natural and social world is analyzed in various departments of knowledge. It also discusses the inter-relationships of living things to one another and their surrounding environment; ecosystems, i.e. groups of living things interacting with one another. All creations are an integral part of the universe and a universal spirit binds all. Hence, there is interconnectedness, interdependence and interrelationship. As such, hurting one aspect of this universe is hurting oneself. This unified viewpoint is reflected in the works of many environmentalists, scientists and philosophers of both the West and the East. Concepts like Gaia theory, the Deep Ecology Movement, the Web of Life are taken up to stress the interconnectedness, interdependence and interrelationship of all livings things and even non-living things and also the unity in diversity in life.
Keywords: Ecocriticism, Gaia Theory, Fairy Tales
Ecology
Ecology, a Greek word, means the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment. It was coined by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel in 1866. It is an interdisciplinary subject which studies the inter-relationships of living things to one another and their surrounding environment. Human beings, animals, plants, rocks, streams, and forests belong to the earth. Man is also a part of the ecosystem, and depends on it for his survival.
Nature and literature have always shared a close relationship as is evidenced in the works of poets and other writers down the ages in almost all cultures of the world. William Rueckert used the term ‘ecocriticism’ in 1978 in his essay, “Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticism”. Ecocriticism crosses all the boundaries and encompasses ecology, literature, sociology and science. Ecocriticism offers a unique fusion of literary, scientific, ecological and philosophical perspectives, and also focuses on the political fights or struggles that have to be fought for sustainable living in a sustainable world.
Nature, in the form of forests, flowers, trees and plants and animals, birds and insects, plays a dominant role, an enchanting and enlightening role in many of the fairy tales. Nature gives to all, without expecting anything in return. However, when man crosses the limits and tries to subvert and destroy nature for man’s selfish ends, it erupts in the form of volcanoes, destroys in the form earthquakes, storms, tsunamis and other natural disasters and calamities.
The Gaia Theory asserts that all living organisms are interconnected; the earth is not a machine. It is a living, breathing organism. This theory is ascribed to the famous NASA scientist, James Lovelock. William Golding suggested naming the theory after ‘Gaia’; the Greek Goddess of the Earth, who is mother to the Gods of the heavens and seas. The Deep Ecology Movement, an environmental movement, also stresses the concept of interconnectedness.
In Andersen’s The Nightingale, the relationship between the king and the nightingale is laid on a solid foundation. But when the artificial nightingale enters the scene, this relationship is spoilt. Artificiality can never replace originality.
In tales like The Fir Tree, nature becomes a teacher to mankind. The Fir Tree is the story of a tree that has big dreams of its future, and loses its present and misses the joy and beautiful wonders everyday brings.
In the Last Dream of the Old Oak, Ephemera, an insect plays a vital role. It lives just for a day but lives every moment of its life in joy and happiness. The old oak tree watches all but learns the secret of life from Ephemera.
In The Conceited Apple Branch, the apple tree learns this lesson slowly. The sunbeam caresses with love and care all the beings including the lonely dandelions and the apple tree. It sees no difference.
In Andersen’s A Beetle, a dung beetle from the emperor’s stable goes around talking to all kinds of animals and plants. The beetle in his travel meets with many travails and feels fortunate to return safely to the king’s stable.
In The Farmyard Cock and Weather Cock, a farmyard cock and a weathercock living in the same farm argue who is better of the two. There is another character which is the cucumber, which seems to be realistic. Its great quality is it is not egoistic. It is able to appreciate and admire the good qualities of others.
It is reiterated that fairy tales educate the children in an unobtrusive way. They help to inculcate in children, a love and respect for nature and environment. The interconnectedness, inter-relationship and interdependence of life and nature are revealed to children in a subtle way by fairy tales.
Works Cited
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