An Interpretation Of The Echo Maker From The Perspective Of Leopold's Land Ethic

Richard Powers,one of the most distinguished writers with scientific humanist spirit,is regarded as the spokesman in the post-Pynchon era.The Echo Maker features vivid language style,twisted plot,and profound themes.In 2006,it received the National Book Award.Powers writes in double voice,and,by quoting Aldo Leopold's work and its sayings,he illustrates the intricate relationship between nature represented by sandhill cranes and human beings of different classes.The ecological perspective on the nature-human relationship arouses readers' interests in reconsidering human beings' place in the biosphere.This thesis explores the new ethical paradigm contained in the novel from the perspective of Leopold's land ethic,that is,the ecological ethics based on the integrity of the ecosystem.The thesis consists of three parts.Chapter One mainly discusses the land community in the Platte River,and the cultural and economic factors which threaten the community.Chapter Two begins with the description of the land pyramid,namely,the energy circulation system,and then analyzes the serious consequences such as the sharp decrease of sandhill cranes in Nebraska caused by the damaged land pyramid.Chapter Three focuses on the root cause of disharmony between man and nature,the lack of ecological conscience.By analyzing the characters like Daniel,Karin and Barbara who pursue the ecological conscience,this chapter expounds the author's efforts to establish ecocentric ethnics,namely the land ethic of Leopold.From the above analysis,the thesis concludes that only when modern people transform the long-held anthropocentric view,can they realize the stability,harmony and beauty of man and nature.