Critical Analysis Of Mean Spirit By Linda Hogan

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An Ecofeminist Critical Approach to Linda Hogan’s Mean Spirit

Mona A. M. Ahmed Zagazig University, Egypt

Key words:

literature, Linda Hogan, Mean Spirit, ecofeminism, oppression.

The aim of the present paper is to attempt an ecofeminist critical approach to Linda Hogan's novel, Mean Spirit (1990), which is actually an application of the fundamental ecofeminist critical principles. The late twentieth century witnessed the emergence of ecological feminism or ecofeminism as a critical approach which associates between feminism and ecology. The term ecofeminism was first used in 1974 by the French writer, Francoise D' Eaubonne,
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In her introduction to Ecofeminism: Women, Culture, Nature, the eminent ecofeminist critic, Karen J. Warren, defines ecological feminism or ecofeminism as ''the position that there are important connections between how one treats color, and the underclass on the one hand and how one treats the nonhuman natural environment on the other'' (xi). Warren points out that ecological feminists are of the view that the failure to recognize such close ''connections seriously is grossly inadequate'' (''Taking Empirical Data'', 3). As a consequence, Warren stresses the interconnection between human and nonhuman nature; she is against the various kinds of domination such as racial domination, class domination and nonhuman nature domination. In addition, Warren is of the view that one of the fundamental aims of ecofeminism is to explore the close relationship between woman and nature, and to put an end to the oppression inflicted upon them. She believes that ''A main project of ecofeminism is to make visible these 'woman-nature connections' and where harmful to woman and nature to dismantle them'' (''Introduction …show more content…
It aims at strategies and world views to liberate or heal these interconnected dominations by better understanding of their etiology and enforcement'' (''Ecofeminism'', 1). Ruether is of the view that ecofeminism is concerned with the interrelationship between the subordination of woman and that of nature, and it seeks to put an end to this terrible malady. In her book, New Woman/ New Earth: Sexist Ideologies and Human Liberation, Ruether, asserts that the liberation of women is closely connected with that of nature. Subsequently, the liberation of women cannot be attained without the liberation of nature. She

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