American nature writing, c. 1985 - 2017: the influences and limits of deep ecology

Platts, Helen (2019) American nature writing, c. 1985 - 2017: the influences and limits of deep ecology. MRes thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This thesis is concerned with contemporary American non-fiction nature writing and the environmental and philosophical movement deep ecology. The burgeoning field of ecocriticism has noted that contemporary nature writing challenges anthropocentric attitudes towards nature and favours biocentric relationships with nature. I contend that it is the deep ecology movement, which has been gaining international attention since the 1970s, which influences the biocentric tenor of contemporary nature writing. Throughout this thesis, I explore the origin of deep ecology and the movement in contemporary culture. I suggest that deep ecology is present in contemporary American nature writing, and consider how nature writing presents the limits of deep ecology as a viable solution to the environmental crisis.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MRes)
Supervisors: Vandome, Robin
Heffernan, Nick
Keywords: Natural history literature; Non-fiction; Ecocriticism; Deep ecology
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history. Biology
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of American and Canadian Studies
Item ID: 57006
Depositing User: Platts, Helen
Date Deposited: 02 Jan 2020 14:44
Last Modified: 06 May 2020 12:01
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/57006

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