Reconciliation And Harmony:an Analysis Of The Passion Artist From The Perspective Of Ecofeminism

John Hawkes is a well-known American avant-garde and post-modernist writer.He has created many works in his lifetime and has been widely praised.The Passion Artist is his eighth novel.The novel depicts a gloomy and polluted city,portrays a series of soldier-like women images,and narrates a story of them who facing the oppression of men in the patriarchal society,but resisting in violate ways to pursue their rights,and finally reconciliating with men.Ecofeminism is a cultural trend of thought in contemporary western countries,which combines ecology and feminism to actively adapt to the needs of social change.It tries to seek the special relationship between derogation of women and derogation of nature,which exists universally in society,and opposes the discrimination against women and nature under the patriarchal thoughts.Ecofeminism holds that the dualistic opposition between men and women,men and nature as well as the ruling logic in the patriarchal society are the main reasons why men oppress women and nature.Therefore,ecofeminism advocates eliminating dualistic opposition,establishing an organic view of nature and replacing patriarchal system with fewer hierarchical concepts in order to liberate women and nature in plight.Beginning with the literature review of Hawkes' works,this paper explores the relationships between men and women,men and nature in The Passion Artist based on ecofeminism.On one hand,this paper explores the male oppression on women,including the abuse to the protagonist Eva,the violation on female prisoners.Then it analyses the resistance measures taken by women,such as breaking family imprisonment and fighting with men.Next,it discusses the change of men's attitudes towards women,and finally achieves reconciliation between the sexes.On the other hand,this thesis analyses men's oppression on nature,the resistance of nature and the harmony between men and nature.At last,it is found that to achieve the harmony between men and women,men and nature,the resistance consciousness of women and nature is very important,meanwhile,men's understanding of women and nature is also indispensable.In addition,it is hoped that more people can break the binary opposition,fight against discrimination,respect women and nature,and build a harmonious society together.