Representations of Environmental Crisis in the Novels of Udom Wisetsathorn: An Ecocritical Literary Analysis

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the representation of environmental crisis in 11 novels by Udom Wisessathorn, using the concept of ecocriticism by Cheryl Glottfelty, the concept of representation by Stuart Hall, as the analysis guidelines. The research results found that Udom Wisessathorn’s novels present two sets of representations: 1) representations of natural disaster crises, which are constructed through scenes, events, and conversations that present the crisis of flooding and geological disasters; and 2) representations of simulations of future world crises, which present the crisis of global warming, the crisis of food shortages, and the crisis of air pollution. In this series of novels, Udom Wisessathorn emphasizes the environmental crisis that has occurred throughout the development of society and the economy in Thailand. The text uses symbols of fear and catastrophe from human-caused environmental crises through scenes of disasters and major floods in communities, creating characters who discuss the environmental crises that the world is currently facing and that may occur in the future. Udom Wisessathorn's background working on the permanent reforestation project in honor of His Majesty the King's 9th reign "One Million Rai" of PTT Public Company Limited and being a committee member of the Green Globe Award project makes this series of literature aware of the importance of the environment and nature. The text also includes environmental ethics and environmental ideology to focus on solving environmental crisis problems.