Abstract
This research paper explores how the novel We (1924), written by Yevgeny Zamyatin portrays a dystopian society where the natural environment has been marginalized and controlled in favor of a technologically advanced urban landscape. Furthermore, the paper analyses how characters, mainly the protagonist D- 503 in We (1924) interact with their environment, shedding light on the novel’s commentary on humanity’s relationship with nature. This paper also highlights that strict control exerted by the One State over every aspect of life symbolizes humanity’s attempt to dominate and control the natural world, leading to ecological imbalance and the loss of connection to nature in the novel. This research paper uses qualitative research methodology based on textual analysis which will further establish the thematic and character analysis of We (1924). This research applies Ecocriticism as the theoretical framework, specifically drawing on Timothy Morton’s concept of Dark Ecology from his book Ecology Without Nature: Rethinking Environmental Aesthetics, to examine Yevgeny Zamyatin’s dystopian novel We (1924). Morton explain Dark Ecology as a reevaluation of human-nature interactions, moving away from anthropocentric perspectives towards a more inclusive and interconnected view of the world. It focuses on the dark, unseen, and often unsettling aspects of the environment and human impact on it. Thus, by drawing on Morton’s concept of Dark Ecology, the paper studies how We (1924) reflects a disconnect from nature, with the absence of natural elements contributing to a sterile, artificial environment dominated by technological structures.
Presenters
Kushmala MoghalStudent, M.Phil, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Punjab, Pakistan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Dystopian society, Ecocriticism, Dark Ecology, Human-nature and Technological domination
