Ecosophy T Of Deep Ecology In The Grapes Of Wrath

Many scholars have made extensive and deep researches on The Grapes of Wrath,John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer-winning masterpiece, from different angles, such as biblicalsymbols, themes, archetypal analyses, writing styles and so on. Though there are a fewscholars both abroad and in China who are aware of Steinbeck’s ecological thoughtsin The Grapes of Wrath and have recognized the significant meaning of his ecologicalconsciousness in American literary academia, not much attention has been paid to theclassic from the perspective of Deep Ecology criticism. Through an analysis of thenovel by the ultimate norms and ideas of Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess’ DeepEcology, this thesis intends to explore Steinbeck’s ecological consciousness, which isalso called Ecosophy T, shown in The Grapes of Wrath from three perspectives, namely,natural ecology, social ecology and spiritual ecology. Thus the study respectively pointsout Steinbeck’s deep concern about the harmony between man and nature, hisexpectation of a harmonious society which is supposed to be a unit without hierarchy,and his hope for harmonious spiritual ecology through praising the ecological Self.From this research, readers could finally comprehend Steinbeck’s ecological awarenessin The Grapes of Wrath from full-scale perspectives. By exploring the deep ecology inthe novel, this thesis can not only inaugurate a new view of research on this great work,but also make contribution to the further study of eco-criticism in The Grapes of Wrathin a comprehensive and systematic way.