Abstract:
This research is an attempt to study the ecological features and nature
symbolism in three of Thomas Hardy's most accomplished novels:
Under the Greenwood Tree, The Woodlanders and Tess of the
D'Urbervilles; which are called by literary critics Novels of Characters
and Environment.
The study investigates the issue of environmentalism viewed by
the conventional critical literary schools compared to the new vision
formed by the school of Ecocriticism as a modern critical approach .
It Studies Hardy's major themes in the novels mentioned above, with
especial emphasis on the causes and effects that derive modern lifestyle
to fail to find possible solutions for the current environmental crises.
The importance of this study emerges from the fact that setting of
global laws to restrict the continuous violation of environment are
proved to be of very limited effect; as it has been said that “Laws are
made to be broken”. Fortunately, literature can provide the world with
new perspectives, which may rekindle our deeper feelings about the
powerful bonds we have with the natural world. Ecocriticism, as a new
literary school, takes the initiative to clarify the interconnected
relationships between nature and culture ; making new cultural bonds
between man and environment.
The Analytical – Comparative Critical Method has been applied in
this research. The recommendations of the study that it stresses the fact
that preservation of our planet cannot simply be enhanced through
international conferences and setting of global laws. Rather, that can be
achieved through love of nature. Nature writings, including fiction, can
well tolerate the responsibility of solving current world environmental
problems. Ecocriticism in this regard, proposes that people should feel
and act, not as members or partners in a particular country, but as
members of the planet. Such a notion should inspire humanity to work
together to put an end to the shame of environment degradation.
