AN ECOFEMINIST READING OF ANITA DESAI’S FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

Abstract

Ecofeminism is a term that links feminism with ecology. This paper tries to outline the fact that the capitalistic society has led to a conflict between nature and culture. This also makes it clear that the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women are closely linked with notions of class, caste, race, colonialism and social rules. Anita Desai, in Fire on the Mountain emphasis ecoconsciousness by depicting a serene landscape. She also takes the reader through a maze of human actions, diverse nature of the mountain, the ecological natural processes in the mountain milieu, excessive population disturbing the peace ,man-made dangers exploiting nature; and therefore aims at showing an integral relationship between man and nature. The novel certainly recalls the fact that mother earth suffers just like women living on her, exploited, discriminated, humiliated, raped, disowned, discarded and let to die.