Nature, Women, Harmony-Ecofeminism In The Cement Garden, The Child In Time And Solar

Ian McEwan is one of the influential writers in contemporary British literature.His writing have changed from the early depictions of the dark side of human nature tothe social and political issues later. The Cement Garden (1978), a representative of“literature of shock” also expresses the disruption of ecological system andinterpersonal relationship. The Child in Time (1987) is a landmark work. In this novel,McEwan not only pays attention to the degeneration of environment and society butalso praises the intellectual and redemption power of women. Solar (2010) focuses onhuman nature under the global warming background, and tries to save the relationshipbetween human and nature.There are five sections in this thesis. McEwan, his three novels and ecofeministtheories are introduced firstly. Chapter Two analyzes women and nature in cement agewho are greatly oppressed and destroyed by men in The Cement Garden. Mutual carebetween human and nature is the key to solve women and nature’s dilemma. ChapterThree discusses the ecofeminist idea in The Child in Time. Influenced by Thatcherism,environment and society begin to degeneration gradually. Wise women could help menout of difficulty. Gender equality and harmonious coexistence are the way out. ChapterFour analyzes the latest novel Solar. Male social elites’ expanding desire to conquernature and women is endless. Going back to human nature is the major factor toresolve conflict between personal interest and the earth. Lastly, Conclusion isfollowing. McEwan tries to find a redemption road in works, that is, mutual care,gender equality and focusing on human nature are the way to achieve harmoniousbetween human and nature. McEwan’s idea coincides with the motif of ecofeminism.