Eco- cultural Imagination in Ernest Callenbach's Ecotopia

Abstract

This paper is a critical discussion over ecological exploitation of human beings into the nature and need of awareness through literary and cultural practice to overcome the ecological crisis in the age of environmental destruction, in Callenbach's Ecotopia by using the theoretical concept of Chery Glotfelty and Harold Fromm's ecocriticism, eco-awareness and Gary Synder's idea of deep ecology. Callenbach urges for ecological awareness through his literary text to heal environmental exploitation. Based on textual analysis, ideas of different critics and library-based materials the researcher finds out that Callenbach's Ecotopia evokes for necessary of cultural action and common human responsibilities in the everyday fashion of socio-cultural and political life of the human world to replace human exploitation over the environment. It is the story of a newly modeled country Ecotopia, where Callenbach's protagonist Weston provides the reader with detailed insights into the Ecotopian’s lifestyle, production, economy, eco-technology, politics, education and gender relations. Hence, the ultimate goal of this research is to give a message of ecological awareness in the age of environmental destruction.