An Eco-feminist Interpretation Of Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Eco-feminism is a new theoretical criticism of literature. It connects the exploitation and domination of women with that of the environment, claiming that there is a critical knit between woman and nature. This close link originates from their shared history of oppression by a patriarchal Western society. The development of eco-feminism greatly influences attitudes of human beings toward nature, especially the relationship between nature and woman. Lawrence’s greatness lies not in radical innovations of writing techniques but in subjects and frank expression of sex. During his life-long literary career, he is dedicated to the exploration of the relations between man and man, nature and man, nature and woman. In Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Lawrence shows his strong awareness of eco-feminism.The thesis consists of three parts, including introduction, body and conclusion. The first part briefly introduces Lawrence’s love toward nature and his concern for woman. In addition, the theory of eco-feminism and literature review are also introduced. The body part consists of three chapters:Chapter one investigates symbolic links between nature and woman. Woman is"naturalized" while nature is "womanized". Woman nurtures the nature, and nature provides shelter for woman. They make each other feel comfortable and fall back on each other. In the end, one integrates the other. Chapter two explores the "other" positions of nature and woman. In a patriarchal society, nature is being exploited, and woman is being controlled. Nature is destructed and woman is deprived of the right to speak. However, the long-time suppression and exploitation make nature and woman acknowledges their "other" status. They are not completely slavish and entirely obedient to the patriarchal dominance. Chapter three probes the construction of nature’s identity and woman’s identity. The conclusion is that it is significant to interpret this novel on the basis of eco-feminist theory; it is important to set up a new world in which nature and woman are no longer belittled; it is essential for all the living things to establish a harmonious relationship.