Ecological Consciousness in Contemporary Literature: Reconfiguring the Human–Nature Relationship
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n01.033Keywords:
Ecocriticism, Ecological Consciousness, Contemporary Literature, Anthropocentrism, EnvironmentAbstract
Contemporary literature increasingly responds to global ecological crises such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the ethical consequences of anthropocentric thinking. This paper examines the emergence of ecological consciousness in contemporary literature, focusing on how literary narratives reconfigure the relationship between humans and the natural world. Drawing upon ecocritical theory, the study analyzes selected contemporary texts to demonstrate how nature is represented not as a passive backdrop but as an active, ethically significant presence. The paper argues that contemporary literature challenges human-centered worldviews by foregrounding ecological interdependence, environmental responsibility, and the vulnerability of both human and non-human life. Through narrative strategies that emphasize loss, interconnectedness, and ecological agency, literary texts contribute to environmental awareness beyond scientific and political discourse. By situating literature within the broader framework of environmental humanities, the study highlights its role in shaping ecological sensibility and ethical reflection. The paper concludes that ecological consciousness in contemporary literature functions as a transformative cultural force, encouraging readers to reconsider their position within ecological systems and to imagine more sustainable modes of coexistence with the natural world.
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