Call For Biocentrism in Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Word For World Is Forest

Abstract

Thisresearch peper entitled“Call for Biocentrism in Ursuka K. Le Guin’s The Word For World Is Forest"focuses on the biocentric advocacy over anthropocentric dominance.This research paper examines Le. Guin’s The Word For World Is Forest from the perspectiveof biocentrism.In the novel,thewriter projects two different worldviewsi.e.anthropocentrism and biocentrism.The Word For World Is Forestis aboutAthsheans(living beings of Athshe)who haveto suffer, struggle and revolt against the Terrans(human beings ofEarth)tosurvive and to save their nature.Le Guin draws a contrast between the natives of Terra and the natives of Athshe. The nativesof Terra are guided by the materialisticthirstofnature whereas the nativesof Athshe have created a balanced, integrated society by preserving the forest ecology upon which their culture depends. Terrans land on planet Athshe and colonize themandstart destroying forest, building camps and enslavingAthsheans. Beacause of their anthropocentricworldview,the Terrans believe themselves to be superior to all creature exist in the universe.Le Guin’s view towards world organism rests on negative aspects of human beings in relation to nature and other living creature. ForLeGuin considering human beings as the creature of higher line and other living creature as a lower line is a myopic vision.Shetries her best to ignore this human worldview in order to bring a balance relation between nature and culture. She puts forward her view with Athsheans by showing the struggle they have to do for their survivalagainstanthropocentricdominationby for their material and luxurious life.