As argued in Sydsvenska Dagbladet Therese Uddenfeldt writes: “Vi måste bli berörda för att förändras, […] Och därför kan musik, skönlitteratur och film bidra till att hejda klimatförändringen: Fantasin kan vara en mycket större del av mänsklighetens räddning än vi tror.” (Uddenfeldt 2021). The project will, in connection to this revealing, contribute to the understanding of the role of literature, and in this case, the role of Where the Crawdads Sing, as part of a category of fiction that can inspire readers to think more environmentally friendly. Because fiction moves us in a way that facts by scientists does not, the approach in this research is therefore that that culture, the way we live, can be influenced by literature.
To summarize the analysis has revealed, associated with the paper’s thesis statement, that Delia Owen’s novel Where The Crawdads Sing is a work of fiction that can be categorized as nature writing. The main points which the paper has brought forth are that the representation of the natural world in the novel is a place that provides answers to human behaviour, gives refuge and a sense of belonging and, finally, is represented in the wild, raw parts of nature. These points have been made by applying the ecocentric concepts of anthropocentrism, biocentrism, bioregion, ecofeminism, ecopoetics, setting and place. Consequently, the content of the analysis has arrived at the fact that the novel emphasises several ecocentric values.
By engaging with the novel and the sources used in the analysis I have become intrigued by the works of ecofeminists who do a tremendous work revealing the patriarchy’s abuse of its power on nature and women. The usage of poetry to convey science and the idea that science is poetry and vice versa is also something I take with me from this work. I have also gained an insight in the importance of fiction in creating change. Research has shown that mere scientific facts about climate change or endangered species does not seem to affect people to change their behaviour, however, fiction seems to be able to do the job! This is relevant as the novel will go beyond being a bestselling novel to becoming a blockbuster movie. The dramatization of the novel is being directed by Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon and will gain large public attention. If the ecocentric values of the novel had been brought forth more often in public discussions, such as reviews and articles, it could help to instil an environmental awareness in the people who have been touched by the novel or, in the future, the film. And thus, Where the Crawdads Sing could move to change.
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