ARTICLE

INTERSECTIONALITY OF SURVIVALISM AND SUSTAINABILITY AN ECOCRITICAL EXPLORATION OF ANTHROPOCENTRIC AND BIOCENTRIC NARRATIVES IN RICHARD POWERS THE OVERSTORY

05 Pages : 43-52

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gsr.2024(IX-II).05      10.31703/gsr.2024(IX-II).05      Published : Jun 2024

Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory

    The ongoing study explores the intersection of survivalism and sustainability within Richard Powers' The Overstory (2018) employing Joseph Meeker's ecocritical perspective. It explores how the novel presents contrasting narratives of anthropocentrism and biocentrism concerning mankind's relationship with the natural world. The examination reveals the impediments of survivalist attitudes that focus on human conservation over ecological well-being. It contrasts with the biocentric narratives woven into the characters' significant associations with trees, enlightening their potential to cultivate a more just and sustainable future for all life on Earth. By employing a comparative approach, the study establishes connections between the novel's themes and the contemporary ecological challenges plaguing our planet today. The study also encourages scholars to speculate on the integrated role in ensuring environmental survival and sustainability.

    Ecocriticism, Survivalism, Sustainability, Anthropocentrism, Biocentrism
    (1) Muhammad Iqbal
    PhD Scholar, Department of English, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Hania Amir
    Undergraduate, Department of English, University of Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Zareen Raza
    Lecturer, Department of English, University of Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan.
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Cite this article

    APA : Iqbal, M., Amir, H., & Raza, Z. (2024). Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory. Global Sociological Review, IX(II), 43-52. https://doi.org/10.31703/gsr.2024(IX-II).05
    CHICAGO : Iqbal, Muhammad, Hania Amir, and Zareen Raza. 2024. "Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory." Global Sociological Review, IX (II): 43-52 doi: 10.31703/gsr.2024(IX-II).05
    HARVARD : IQBAL, M., AMIR, H. & RAZA, Z. 2024. Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory. Global Sociological Review, IX, 43-52.
    MHRA : Iqbal, Muhammad, Hania Amir, and Zareen Raza. 2024. "Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory." Global Sociological Review, IX: 43-52
    MLA : Iqbal, Muhammad, Hania Amir, and Zareen Raza. "Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory." Global Sociological Review, IX.II (2024): 43-52 Print.
    OXFORD : Iqbal, Muhammad, Amir, Hania, and Raza, Zareen (2024), "Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory", Global Sociological Review, IX (II), 43-52
    TURABIAN : Iqbal, Muhammad, Hania Amir, and Zareen Raza. "Intersectionality of Survivalism and Sustainability: An Ecocritical Exploration of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Narratives in Richard Powers' The Overstory." Global Sociological Review IX, no. II (2024): 43-52. https://doi.org/10.31703/gsr.2024(IX-II).05