Optimistic and Pessimistic Features of Ecofeminism in Toni Morrison’s Beloved

Abstract

This research looks at the interdisciplinary approach known as ‘Ecofeminism,’ which is one of the literature studies that sees a link between the exploitation and degradation of the natural world and the subordination and oppression of women. The term is also known as ‘Ecological Feminism’. It is a pivotal concept in the contemporary literary world. Feminism expresses women’s rights in various waves, which women receive through their wisdom and perseverance. Ecology expresses the interface between living creatures created by divine power and their physical environment. Ecological feminism has two distinguishing characteristics: one is optimistic, and the other is pessimistic. The goal and scope of the manuscript are to explore the perspective of ecofeminism and its features in Toni Morrison’s Beloved fiction. The first and foremost discussion is about ecological feminism’s optimistic features. The second discussion is about ecological feminism’s pessimistic features. Sethe is a strong female protagonist who cares for and protects her family as well as nature. She is the mother of sons Howard and Buglar and daughters Beloved and Denver, and she assists in the rebirth of her daughter, Beloved. The school teacher and his two nephews are barbarous. They have created an impact on the environment as well as all the female characters in the novel Beloved. The male characters behaved disgustingly, disrespecting the minds and emotions of women and nature. The male characters are so wild about having sex and purloining milk from the breast that they do not even look into race or identity.