HUMAN-NATURE RELATIONSHIP IN SHAFAK'S THE ISLAND OF THE MISSING TREES: AN ECOCRITICAL APPROACH
Abstract
The present study intends to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world in Elif Shafak’s novel The Island of the Missing Trees through the lens of ecocriticism. The novel tells the story of a group of characters living on the fictional island of Sanani, which is facing a severe environmental crisis. The island's trees are disappearing at an alarming rate, and the characters must work together to find a solution before it's too late. Shafak's use of magical realism and folklore creates a vivid and immersive world that highlights the importance of the natural environment and our connection to it. Ecocriticism is a literary theory that explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, and how this relationship is reflected in literature. In this context, the article analyzes the novel's portrayal of the human-nature connection, as well as the characters' attitudes towards the environment. Through a close reading of the text, the article argues that Shafak's novel presents a nuanced and complex view of the human-nature harmony. The characters in the novel are deeply connected to the natural world, and their actions have a profound impact on the environment. However, they also struggle with the consequences of their actions, and the novel explores the ways in which humans can both harm and protect the environment. The research methodology of this article is primarily qualitative, relying on a close reading and analysis of the novel The Island of the Missing Trees from an ecocritical perspective. The article employs a textual analysis of the novel's narrative, characters, and themes to explore the consistency of human-nature in the text. By highlighting the importance of environmental awareness and responsibility in selected text, the study provides a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and the impact of human actions on the environment.
