Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea: an ecocritical reading

Abstract

The present paper seeks to analyze Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea in the light of the theory of ecocriticism. Ecocriticism focuses on the relationships of individuals with nature and how their interactions are portrayed in a literary work. Ecocritics consider nature as an active participant in literary works that possesses agency. Throughout history, religion and industrial developments affected nature and man’s relation to it. Religion put so much value on man that he ventured to destroy nature for his own good and industrialism estranged man from nature to the extent that now nature and culture or civilization are two different entities. Nature and wild life turn into the objects in the hand of modern culture and technology. Wide Sargasso Sea shows how agent of culture, Mr. Rochester exploits and dominates Antoinette as agent of nature since he lost his connection with nature as a native of an industrial country like England. As a woman she is more harmonious with nature as nature is her sole protector in this hostile environment and finally she united with it. As her true friend, nature sets her free and helps her to destroy patriarchy.