Ecological Consciousness of Five Elements in Sarah Joseph’s Gift in Green

Name of Author : Rajguhan R, Dr. Gangadharan T

Abstract: Eco-literature evolved via ecocriticism in the late 20th century. Ecocriticism is defined by Cheryll Glotfelty as “the study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment”. Sarah Joseph’s Aathi, translated into English by Valson Thomson as 'Gift in Green', is an eco-critical novel which delineates the ecologies of five elements for a humane coexistence between humans and nature. The story takes place in Aathi village, a sacred ecological space and an inseparable weave of air, water, land, fire and space with cultural memory, spirituality and ecological ethics. Air, a sign of freedom, the pulse of nature and eco-oral traditions. Water flows as a metaphor of purification, continuity and resistance to land reclamation. The fertile land represents Earth that sustains Aathi’s agrarian life. Fire represents both ritualistic holiness and avaricious destruction. Space sentiment represents the spiritual space and shared consciousness of communities. This paper examines Gift in Green using the abiotic elements of ecology. It illustrates how Sarah Joseph is the architect of sustainability rooted in an embedded cultural ethos and balance, interdependence, reverence for nature.

Keywords : Eco-literature, Five Elements, indigenous, Eco-oral traditions, abiotic, Sustainable ecology.

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