| Nicholas Evans is a contemporary English writer. Compared with many world-famous writers, he doesn't produce so many works as they do. However, his novels are popular with many readers, especially his first novel, The Horse Whisperer, which makes him very famous immediately after its publication. The book itself became the bestseller upon its publication in 1995. In 1998, a film adapted from the novel was released with the same title. The next year after its release, the movie won the Golden Globe prize for its excellence.The Horse Whisperer is not only a famous romantic novel but also a novel reflecting modern man's existing state. The author just catches the pulse of the era and penetrates the inside of the modern world, having the process of healing the injured horse Pilgrim as the main thread to display many intricate relationships interwoven together. The novel contains the author's ecological viewpoint and his recognition of nature's value. Meanwhile we can also feel his deep concern about how to build and keep the harmonious relationship between human and nature.This thesis attempts to make an ecocritical study of Nicholas Evans's novel The Horse Whisperer to explore the ecological theme implied in it. The thesis analyzes the novel from three aspects, that is, Natural Ecology, Social Ecology, and Spiritual Ecology, which, from different angles, reflect the author's acknowledgement of nature's healing power and his advocacy of respecting nature and returning to nature.The introduction offers a brief summary of the author Nicholas Evans, his novel The Horse Whisperer and the current study on it. In company with the summary above is the introduction to the basic concepts of ecocriticism, including the development of ecocriticism and the ecological views from different schools.Chapter One focuses on analyzing the relationship between human beings and nature by a large number of descriptions of the natural scenery presented in the novel, which, most of the time, can give a positive impact on people's minds and offer comfort to them. From the characters'friendly attitudes toward the natural landscape and the animals, we can really feel the author's intention to call on people to respect nature and live in harmony with nature. Chapter Two explores the problems revealed in the novel, which modern man now is facing in the modern society, by analyzing the existing state of Annie's family. Driven by the strong desire to pursue infinite material possessions, the civilized modern man is going far away from nature and gradually loses his unsophisticated nature. The relationship between man and man is extremely disharmonious, even between the family members. The strangulation of humanity caused by the industrial civilization forces people to rethink necessarily the value of wilderness. The description of Tom's harmonious family really embodies the value of respecting nature and living harmoniously with nature. According to this chapter, the author's belief in nature can be clearly felt. Nature is regarded as a sacred place for salvation.Chapter Three is devoted to penetrating the imbalanced state in people's spiritual world and the healing force of nature on people's spirit. Modern civilization has brought social progress and rapid development of science and technology, improving the living conditions of mankind. However, the attendant problems are also very obvious. Materially better life has also put modern man into a state of depression and confusion, which leads to his loss of self. Annie's family is a case in point. From the progress of Annie's and Grace's spiritual improvement, the author shows before us the powerful healing force of nature. By the analysis of Tom's life experience, the theme of returning to nature implied in the novel is emphasized.The conclusion further elaborates the ecological theme of the novel. Returning to nature and living harmoniously with nature are the best way for modern man to live happily and meaningfully.
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