A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ECOCRITICISM IN THE SELECT NOVELS OF EASTERINE KIRE AND CHINUA ACHEBE

Ecocriticism has basically originated from the uncontrolled exploitation of the environment by humans, creating natural and climatic hazards. Though ecocriticism, cannot stop the environmental hazards from happening, it can definitely create a consciousness in people with the help of literature. The works of both Easterine Kire from North East India and Chinua Achebe from Nigeria, Africa, are embodied with the awareness of nature and its influence on human beings. The character of Vilie, from ‘When the River Sleeps’, by Easterine Kire, a member of the Angami tribe of Nagaland, is the protector of forest and his life completely revolves around it. Likewise, Okonkwo, from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria, in ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe, is shown to be successful and in peace only when he follows and respects Goddess Ani, the Earth Goddess. Thus, emphasizing the never-ending importance of nature in their lives. This research paper is an attempt to recognize the interconnection between nature and literature, a comparative study of ecocriticism in the novels of Easterine Kire ‘When the River Sleeps’ and Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. The methodology used to achieve the above objective is the conceptual examination of the theory of ecocriticism.