EXPLORING THE INTERSECTIONS OF ECOFEMINISM: TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL JUSTICE AND GENDER EQUITY IN ANURADHA ROY’S ALL THE LIVES WE NEVER LIVED

Abstract

Ecofeminism is a multifaceted theoretical framework that interconnects the issues of ecology and feminism. It seeks to understand and address the interconnected oppressions of gender-based discrimination and environmental degradation. Intersectionality is central to ecofeminist thought acknowledging that systems of patriarchy, capitalism, colonialism, racism, and environmental exploitation are interconnected and reinforce one another. Ecofeminism critiques binary thinking that dichotomize human/nature, mind/body, reason/emotion, and culture/nature. Ecofeminist ethics foregrounds the interconnectedness of all living beings and advocates for nurturing relationships based on empathy, cooperation, and solidarity. It seeks to reclaim and center women's voices, experiences, and knowledge in the environmental movement. Ecofeminism is not merely a theoretical framework but also a political praxis aimed at transforming social structures and systems of oppression. Anuradha Roy’s All the Lives We Never Lived   is a contemporary acclaimed novel that subtly interweaves the ecofeminist themes into the narrative. This research paper explores the text to exhibit the protagonist's relationship with nature, the impact of political and social upheaval on the environment as well as on individual lives, and the intersections of gender and ecology. It also highlights the vulnerability of the natural world in the face of human greed and indifference.