Delineating Ecosophy as a Counter Discourse in Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behaviour

Abstract

Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver is a clarion call aimed at exposing the impending future that awaits humanity in the form of grievous climactic changes and its impact on the delicate ecosystem of the earth. The characters presented who maintain varying perspectives regarding ecological concerns may be seen as representing differing ideologies that persist in the society with respect to the same. The paper is an attempt to trace the dominant as well as alternate voices that pervade discussions on an apocalyptic future due to human actions that are ruthless and highly exploitative of ecological resources. The mystical encounter with nature that the protagonist undergoes will be examined to understand the significance of an ecological philosophy or “ecosophy.” The paper would also seek to discern a transition from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism and also the disruption of nature/culture binaries established by an anthropocentric worldview depicted in the text.