Ecofeminism

Linda Hogan's Power and Gregory Maguire's Wicked are two works of literature
that encompass a process of raising and transforming consciousness about humans'
relationships with each other and with the Earth and elemental energies. Both can be
considered prayers to and for the world. The goal of this thesis is to highlight and explore
themes of spirituality, ecofeminism, environmental justice, anti-colonialism, indigenous
philosophies regarding sense of place, human and animal rights, and feminist critical
theories of race and gender through the artistic, creative and powerful writing of these
authors. These works both reflect and participate in ongoing processes of political and
spiritual change away from patriarchal, Eurocentric and imperial culture. By applying
concepts including F. Marina Schauffler's "Ecological Conversion" and Gloria
Anzaldua's "Mestiza Consciousness," I will show how the novels' characters, though
very differently, encompass these transformations of consciousness.

The Interdisciplinary field of ecofeminism is based upon the premise that important connections exist between women and non-human nature, and that both have suffered abuses, presently and historically, from people operating from a patriarchal conceptual framework. A large and important part of ecofeminism is ecofeminist spirituality, which departs from Euro-Western, patriarchal, monotheistic religions in its positions on hierarchy and dualistic thinking. Many of the ideals of both ecofeminism and ecofeminist spirituality are embodied in the popular culture figure known as Poison Ivy. She projects the image of the power of women and nature, which includes the powers of death as well as life. Her appearance may qualify as a partial manifestation of the Great Green Goddess archetype from ancient history, and may indicate the start of a revival of a great and widespread reverence for nature.