Volume III Special Issue V May 2023

Name of Author : C Sivasankari, Dr. P Vasuki

Title of the paper : A study of Ecofeminism in Chitra Banerjee Divakarunis novel The Forest of Enchantment

Abstract: Ecofeminism deals with degradation and exploitation of nature and women. The oppression and subordination of women is compared with nature. As nature represents feminine characteristics to symbolises as embodiment of Earth. But male is considered as destructive part of the environment because of their Paganism.The mythological character Sita in Chitra Banerjee Divakarunis novel The forest of Enchantment is exploited by Ravana. This paper closely examines the influence of nature in Sitas life from heaven to back. It further analysis suppression of women in patriarchal society from ecofeminism point of view. Highlighting how gender inequality intersect with environmental issues by exploring womens role and identification with nature.Divakaruni portrays Sita has Sitayan to narrate the story from her eco – feminist perspective. She reforms herself from her painful experiences and exposes her willpower and knowledge to teach their sons for the welfare of family. Nature comforts her from painful past as she spent half of her lives in forest. It teaches her to improve her willpower to win the patriarchal society. Mythological folklore used to expose Sita has a traditional wife but this paper examines her has an ecofeminist who overcome her suppression from the guidance of Forest. It further analysis how nature heals her from the past and reforms her to the present.

Keywords : Ecofeminism, Forest, Patriarchal, exile, Endurance

DOI :

Page Number : 117-122