Sanctity And Degradation In Privileged Hierarchies:An Eco Feministic Study Of Kamala Markandaya’s Nectar In A Sieve

The current research examines the interrelation between women and ecology through the lens of Kamala Markandya’s novel,Nectar in a Sieve,within the context of ecofeminism.This critical discussion represents a novel approach aimed at comprehending how literary works relate to issues concerning gender and ecological crises.The study aims to explore how the Western-originated concept of ecofeminism is reflected in the selected novel.The research investigates the intricacies of ecofeminism and the author’s interpretation of it,analyzing the sequence of events in the novel that demonstrates how industrial growth has resulted in environmental problems and the suffering of women.Employing Fran(?)oise d’Eaubonne’s ecofeminist theoretical framework,the study aims to investigate the interconnected dominance of men over women and the environment.Qualitative textual analysis sheds light on the challenges faced by impoverished women in India who reside in male chauvinistic societies and endure critical environmental degradation.Moreover,the research aims to examine the novel’s contribution to the discourse on ecofeminism by presenting a new perspective that departs from the conventional understanding of ecofeminism in the West.The characters in the novel portray the village life of the developing world,where women and nature are considered equal in their reproductive and nurturing capacities.The objective of this dissertation is to examine the role of women in capitalist societies,where they view nature as a source of solace.By drawing attention to the social hierarchies prevalent in society,where women are subjected to poverty,domestic violence,and gender inequalities,this study uncovers the relationship between ecological factors and women.In her novel "Nectar in a Sieve," Kamala Markandaya presents a novel perspective of ecofeminism that departs from the traditional conceptualization of the movement in the West.Her ecofeminist perspective acknowledges the relationship between women and nature,which shares similar properties as both are owned and degraded by men.Moreover,the novel emphasizes the importance of nature as a source of hope and strength for women facing challenges in patriarchal societies.The ecofeminism presented by Markandaya also highlights the impact of industrialization on the environment and how it affects women’s lives.The novel’s protagonist,Rukmani,experiences firsthand the negative effects of industrialization,including poverty,hunger,and ecological degradation.The novel’s ecofeminist perspective implies that addressing the patriarchal structures of society that exploit and degrade women and nature is essential to achieving sustainable development.