The Cry Of Nature

John Updike(1932-2009)is one of the most important novelists,poets and literary critics in 20th century America.He is among one of the three writers who have won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once.Published in 2006,Terrorist is Updike's 22nd novel.By recording an ordinary young man turning into a suicide bomber,Updike attempts to elaborate on why a kind-hearted and conscientious Muslim would willingly become an extremist who wants to commit a terrorist attack.So far,the research on this novel at home and abroad has not yet been sufficient.The novel's approach to the 9/11 attacks from a terrorist's point of view has long been the focus for the western critics,and the Chinese scholars mainly interpret the novel in terms of the cultural conflicts,ethical dilemmas,identity crisis,ect.involved it.Until now,the ecological crises revealed in Terrorist have not been examined.This thesis intends to make a thorough interpretation of Terrorist in light of the ecological theory put forward by Lu Shuyuan.Through a careful examination,it can be asserted that Terrorist,filled with environmental concerns,has presented the severely imbalanced and desperate state of the natural,spiritual and social ecology in modern America.In this novel,the natural ecology,embodied by the relationship between man and nature,is in a state of extreme disharmony and danger.For the sake of urban expansion and industrial development,the people in New Prospect are willing to pollute and destroy the natural environment and wantonly encroach on the urban land.The social ecology,embodied by the relationship between man and man,is in a state of extreme distortion.Muslims have long suffered discrimination from the general public and American government,and the word Muslim has even become synonymous with terrorist.The relationship between man and man is also becoming growingly alienated and indifferent.In order to gain personal benefits,some characters take advantage of others without hesitation.The spiritual ecology,embodied by the relationship between man and self,is also in a chaotic state.A lot more people increasingly feel spiritual emptiness and despair and hold extreme attitudes towards belief.Religion is either being completely abandoned or being regarded as the utmost priority worth dying for.Reexamining this novel from the perspective of ecocriticism can remind readers of its deep ecological worries long neglected by people.The exploration of Terrorist from this new angle helps to shed light on the study of the novel and Updike.To some extent,this study will also have a positive influence on the enhancement of people's ecological awareness and the construction of a harmonious relationship between man and nature.