Criticism Of Oppression And Construction Of Harmony

Ecocriticism considers how nature is reflected in literature and how literatureinfluences the relationship between humans and nature. Humankind is anindispensable part in the ecological sphere. The well-being of society and individualspirituality is directly related to nature.By means of analyzing the text in detail, this thesis makes an attempt to studythe relationship between society, spirituality and nature in My Antonia from the lensof ecology. In the small town of Black Hawk there are pervasive oppressions insociety upon women, immigrants and blacks. In such a society individuals possessalienated and estranged spirituality. By placing society, man and nature in the sameposition, this thesis seeks to find a way to solve the social and spiritual problemsfrom nature, arguing that the ecological thought in My Antonia enables us to see howone can seek energy from nature and resist against the triple oppressions andabnormality in spirituality, and reconstruct a harmonious world.Besides introduction and conclusion, this thesis is to be constructed as follows:Chapter one examines the gender, ethnical and class oppressions on femalecharacters, blacks and foreigners, and immigrants from the perspective of socialecology and concludes that ecological crisis is rooted from man’s domination onman.Chapter two explores different psychology in this oppressive society from theperspective of spiritual psychology, including alienated Jim Burden,money-worshipper, Wick Cutter and helpless Mr. Shimeridas. The reasons ofalienation and estrangement lie in the oppressive society and distance from nature.Chapter three reveals a harmonious vision from the perspective of naturalecology. Antonia and other characters have finally realized themselves, establishedharmonious family, and reserved their ethnical culture. It’s clear that harmoniousliving with nature is the ultimate solution to social and spiritual problems.