1. Home
  2. Items
  3. The Trees Will Free Me: Women Connect with Nature in...
PDF

The Trees Will Free Me: Women Connect with Nature in Literature to Resist Male Dominance and Violence in the Patriarchy Item Info

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze how women are challenging the patriarchal issues prevalent in the man v nature literature genre by using nature in their writing to create a new feminist theme and genre of woman alongside nature. In using an ecofeminist lens, I argue the behavior seen in man controlling nature frequently in literature can be representative of the patriarchy and behavior women face when it comes to dominant men, as nature is often represented as mother nature. As this genre continues to be written and popularized, women writers are finding ways to input themselves in the nature genre by utilizing their connection with the earth in their literature, therefore changing the extractive relationship with nature into an alliance-based relationship with nature. Specifically for women in South Korea, where they may not be able to physically resist the patriarchy by marching for equal rights or fighting against men, women are turning to nature in their literature to resists these behaviors. This essay continues to then analyze how Korean fiction writer Kang Han and her novel The Vegetarian exemplify how women in restrictive countries like Korea can turn to their connection with nature in their literature to motivate themselves and resists the violence of male domination. Thus, showing women in restrictive countries that they can connect with nature not only to input themselves in a genre that often leaves them out, but also gives them an outlet of resistance by utilizing this connection to find control over themselves and their bodies. In doing so, The Vegetarian re-writes this masculine genre of writing and create a new feminist hero that challenges masculine violence, dominance, and the conquering of land and woman, representing women and inspiring them to gain control of their bodies and connect with their nature roots.

View on Timeline Download PDF
Title:
The Trees Will Free Me: Women Connect with Nature in Literature to Resist Male Dominance and Violence in the Patriarchy
Creator:
Cambell, Blakeli
Date Created:
2022-12
Description:
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze how women are challenging the patriarchal issues prevalent in the man v nature literature genre by using nature in their writing to create a new feminist theme and genre of woman alongside nature. In using an ecofeminist lens, I argue the behavior seen in man controlling nature frequently in literature can be representative of the patriarchy and behavior women face when it comes to dominant men, as nature is often represented as mother nature. As this genre continues to be written and popularized, women writers are finding ways to input themselves in the nature genre by utilizing their connection with the earth in their literature, therefore changing the extractive relationship with nature into an alliance-based relationship with nature. Specifically for women in South Korea, where they may not be able to physically resist the patriarchy by marching for equal rights or fighting against men, women are turning to nature in their literature to resists these behaviors. This essay continues to then analyze how Korean fiction writer Kang Han and her novel The Vegetarian exemplify how women in restrictive countries like Korea can turn to their connection with nature in their literature to motivate themselves and resists the violence of male domination. Thus, showing women in restrictive countries that they can connect with nature not only to input themselves in a genre that often leaves them out, but also gives them an outlet of resistance by utilizing this connection to find control over themselves and their bodies. In doing so, The Vegetarian re-writes this masculine genre of writing and create a new feminist hero that challenges masculine violence, dominance, and the conquering of land and woman, representing women and inspiring them to gain control of their bodies and connect with their nature roots.
Subjects:
The Vegetarian Han King women nature ecocriticism patriarchy feminism
Methods:
textual analysis
Location:
South Korea
Language:
English
Source
Preferred Citation:
"The Trees Will Free Me: Women Connect with Nature in Literature to Resist Male Dominance and Violence in the Patriarchy", English Honors Thesis Repository, Nevada State University
Reference Link:
https://nevada-state-english.github.io/nsu-english-thesis/items/ht036.html
« Previous Back to Browse Next »