Eco-critical Perspectives in 21st Century Environmental Literature: Understanding the Connection Between Nature and Literature

Eco-criticism has gained prominence in the study of 21st-century environmental literature, offering a perspective that focuses on how nature, ecology, and environmental issues are represented in literary works. Eco-critical approaches analyze how contemporary authors respond to global environmental challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution, using literature as a powerful tool for raising awareness and promoting ecological responsibility.

In eco-critical studies, scholars analyze nature writing, post-apocalyptic fiction, and eco-thrillers, emphasizing how writers use narrative to explore the human connection to the natural world and the environmental crises facing humanity. Works by authors like Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, and Jim Crace are examined for their depiction of nature and their role in promoting a more sustainable worldview.

Eco-criticism in 21st-century literature also tackles the ethical dimensions of environmental degradation and offers an opportunity for readers to reconsider their relationship with the planet. The intersection of art and ecology encourages greater environmental consciousness, highlighting how literature can shape cultural attitudes toward nature and ecological justice.