An Ecocritical Interpretation Of John Burroughs’ Works

John Burroughs (1837-1921) was a famous American naturalist in the 19th century who created 25 works all his life and most of his works described the nature, especially trees and animals in nature. In his life and works, John Burroughs was doing a simple thing which is sending people to nature. Nowadays with the development of industry and economy, human living environment has been greatly damaged. Facing the current serious ecological environment, how human beings can live in harmony with nature is a much discussed topic. As a famous American naturalist, John Burroughs had been thinking about how to construct love of nature in an evolving era.In this thesis, the author tries to explore the intrinsic value of ecological system reflected in John Burroughs’s works from the respective of ecological criticism. As a subject in the universe, life and nature maintain self-sustaining and self-organizing according to certain nature laws, continuing to reproduce and spontaneously conduct our own life activity. We human beings should learn to respect the nature, return to nature and coexist with nature in great harmony. Through John Burroughs’s works, we have the following inspiration:Human beings should live a simple life and establish a harmonious relationship with nature. Only in this way can human’s material and spiritual life be met.Because of these works (Wake-Robin, Winter Sunshine, Fresh Fields, Birds and Poets, etc), people gradually realize the importance of protecting the environment. As an American naturalist of the 19th century, the formation of his ecological thoughts has something to do with his own life. This thesis also discusses the effects of the nature in material and spiritual aspects of John Burroughs. He actively advocates people to return to nature and live in harmony with nature.This thesis consists of five parts. The first part mainly touches upon JohnBurroughs’s literary achievements and his works. It also describes the research on his works at home and abroad and presents the significance of this thesis. Chapter two focuses on John Burroughs’s view of nature and its origin, including the characteristics of his times and his living conditions. Chapter three explains the concepts of nature’s influence in his writing. It includes two aspects:material and spirit. Chapter four explores the enlightenment from John Burroughs’s works. His works have been advocating humans’ returning to nature, protecting the nature and harmonious coexisting with nature. The last part summarizes the previous chapters and then comes to a conclusion:Returning to nature is the ultimate desire of the great soul, for which John Burroughs is no exception.