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Representations of the Ecological Uncanny: Studies in Literature, Culture, and the Environment

DeShawn Powell

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Published in Madness In The Woods: Representations Of The Ecological Uncanny (Studies In Literature Culture And The Environment / Studien Zu Literatur Kultur Und Umwelt 7)

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Madness in the Woods: Representations of the Ecological Uncanny (Studies in Literature, Culture, and the Environment / Studien zu Literatur, Kultur und Umwelt Book 7)

by Kim Thompson-Pinder

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2151 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	240 pages

In her book Undomesticated Ground: Recasting Nature as Feminist Space, literary scholar Stacy Alaimo coined the term "ecological uncanny" to describe the feeling of estrangement and disorientation that can arise from our encounters with the natural world in an age of environmental crisis.

The ecological uncanny is a response to the sense that the natural world is no longer familiar or predictable, but has become strange, threatening, and even hostile. This sense of estrangement can be caused by a number of factors, including climate change, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.

The ecological uncanny is a powerful concept that can help us to understand the complex and often contradictory ways in which we relate to the natural world. In this article, I will examine representations of the ecological uncanny in a range of literary and cultural texts, from the Gothic novel to contemporary science fiction. I will argue that these texts can help us to understand the challenges and opportunities that we face in the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch in which human activity is the dominant force shaping the planet.

The Gothic Novel and the Ecological Uncanny

The Gothic novel is a genre of literature that emerged in the late 18th century and is characterized by its focus on the supernatural, the macabre, and the grotesque. Gothic novels often explore the themes of death, decay, and madness, and they often feature settings that are wild, isolated, and dangerous.

The Gothic novel is a particularly fertile ground for representations of the ecological uncanny. The genre's focus on the supernatural and the grotesque can be seen as a response to the sense of estrangement and disorientation that can arise from our encounters with the natural world. In Gothic novels, the natural world is often represented as a place of danger and mystery, a place where the forces of chaos and destruction are always lurking.

One of the most famous examples of the ecological uncanny in Gothic literature is the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a monster from the body parts of dead animals. The monster is a grotesque and terrifying figure, and he embodies the fears and anxieties that we have about the dangers of scientific progress and the hubris of humankind.

The novel Frankenstein is a powerful example of how the Gothic novel can be used to explore the ecological uncanny. The novel's setting in a wild and isolated landscape, its focus on the supernatural and the grotesque, and its exploration of the themes of death, decay, and madness all contribute to a sense of estrangement and disorientation that is characteristic of the ecological uncanny.

Science Fiction and the Ecological Uncanny

Science fiction is a genre of literature that explores the possible consequences of scientific and technological progress. Science fiction often imagines future worlds that are very different from our own, and it often explores the ethical and social implications of new technologies.

Science fiction is another genre of literature that is well-suited for exploring the ecological uncanny. Science fiction writers often imagine future worlds that are ravaged by environmental pollution, climate change, and other forms of ecological disaster. These worlds are often strange and unfamiliar, and they can evoke a sense of estrangement and disorientation that is characteristic of the ecological uncanny.

One of the most famous examples of the ecological uncanny in science fiction is the novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The novel tells the story of a father and son who are traveling through a post-apocalyptic world that has been ravaged by environmental disaster. The world of The Road is a harsh and unforgiving place, and it is filled with the dangers of starvation, disease, and violence.

The novel The Road is a powerful example of how science fiction can be used to explore the ecological uncanny. The novel's setting in a post-apocalyptic world, its focus on the harsh realities of survival, and its exploration of the themes of loss, grief, and hope all contribute to a sense of estrangement and disorientation that is characteristic of the ecological uncanny.

The ecological uncanny is a concept that can help us to understand the challenges and opportunities that we face in the Anthropocene. The ecological uncanny is a feeling of estrangement and disorientation that can arise from our encounters with the natural world in an age of environmental crisis.

Representations of the ecological uncanny in literature and culture can help us to understand the complex and often contradictory ways in which we relate to the natural world. These representations can also help us to imagine new ways of living in harmony with the planet.

Madness in the Woods: Representations of the Ecological Uncanny (Studies in Literature, Culture, and the Environment / Studien zu Literatur, Kultur und Umwelt Book 7)

by Kim Thompson-Pinder

5 out of 5