The Importance of Apocalypse: The Value of End-Of-The-World Politics While Advancing Ecocriticism

Authors

  • JL Schatz Binghamton

Abstract

This essay argues that successful ecocriticism must focus on the tangible political consequences of environmental policy that are undoubtedly destroying the planet. I begin with an overview of how some ecocritics use poststructuralist thought to minimize apocalyptic rhetoric and its subsequent call to arms. Afterwards I outline how ecocriticism can become effective in influencing people to abandon environmentally destructive practices in coalition with the thinkers I take issue with. They may do so by not giving up on images of collective omnicide. I conclude by showing how metaphors of apocalypse enable ecocriticism to forge a tethering principle of interconnectedness that overcomes the risk of co-optation. Embracing such interconnectedness goes beyond the idea of the individual self and awakens a sense of collective responsibility that can truly change our world.

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Published

2012-07-20

How to Cite

Schatz, J. (2012). The Importance of Apocalypse: The Value of End-Of-The-World Politics While Advancing Ecocriticism. Journal of Ecocriticism, 4(2), 20–33. Retrieved from https://ojs.unbc.ca/index.php/joe/article/view/394

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Section

Articles