Environmental Humanities in Folktales: Theory and Practice

This work explores the themes of space, time, nature, culture, spirit, and matter in folktales that promote systemic thinking and examines the ecological relevance of these tales in fostering a systematic view of life. It introduces Ecofemiotics as a discipline and proposes an innovative folktale typology that connects women with the environment. The book discusses an ecofemiotics cyclical praxis at three levels, promoting theory to practice through the analysis of folktales, enabling practice to theory through classroom experiments, and envisioning theory to practice through the identification of Gaia Care Principles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating work delves into the realms of space, time, nature, and culture, unraveling the rich tapestry of folktales that nurture a systemic mindset. It identifies and examines motifs and patterns in select folktales that promote interconnectedness, interdependence, holism, synthesis, and a circular pattern of life, while also exploring the ecological relevance of these tales in fostering a systematic view of life.

The volume emphasizes the significance of critically analyzing alternative worldviews to find holistic solutions to contemporary global ecological issues. It sheds light upon Ecofemiotics, a discipline that combines Ecofeminist Semiotics, and through a re-reading of folktales, it presents an innovative folktale typology that connects women with the environment.

The book delves into an ecofemiotics cyclical praxis at three distinct levels:

Promoting theory to practice by analyzing folktales as Gaia Care Narratives using the Ecofemiotic framework.
Enabling practice to theory through a classroom experiment, observation, and inference.
Envisioning theory to practice by identifying Gaia Care Principles and its multidisciplinary scope and function to create avenues towards ecological balance and sustainable living.

This nuanced work resonates with students and researchers of literature and literary theory, sociology, social anthropology, gender studies and womens studies, feminism, development studies, environment, and folklore studies. It invites us to explore the depths of these tales and uncover the profound insights they hold, as we embark on a journey toward a more interconnected and sustainable world.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 144 x 224 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032309873