"We are Frog in Amber" : "an ecofeminist reading of The Poisonwood Bible and Solar Storms"

This research project is an ecofeminist reading of Solar Storms (1995) and The Poisonwood Bible (1998). This paper demonstrates that our society is based on a dualist model, the Master model, which means that one part of the key oppositions, and one gender, are considered as having a more considerable value. This system is integrated in Western ideology, and some traces of it are visible in the workspace, in literature: the exploitation of the environment as well as gender inequalities are two examples of it. The dualistic model constructs a Master identity which is believed to possess reason, a trait that is considered to be superior to nature. As a result, individuals or communities judged as closer to nature, or “feminised”, are inferior to the Master identity due to their lack of reason. This deficiency serves as a justification for their oppression and, in a number of cases, exploitation. Furthermore, this dualistic model constructs feminised others as passive entities who do not have their own purposes or meanings. Due to this absence of purpose, the inferior others are used to fulfil the Master identity’s aspirations. The research hypothesis is that Solar Storms and The Poisonwood Bible portray female characters and nature as active protagonists —in lieu of passive entities—who refuse this dominant Master model and its damaging effects. Instead, they advocate a non-hierarchical society and respect for both humans and nonhumans. The study illustrates how Solar Storms, written by Linda Hogan, and The Poisonwood Bible, a novel by Barbara Kingsolver, denounce the Master model and deconstruct the conception of the feminised others and nature as naturally inferior. These novels extract women, nature and feminised others from their passive states, which makes the justification of their oppression null and void. In addition, the narratives attempt to create a new and non-hierarchical model.