Ecocriticism Meets Subaltern Studies: A Framework from the Sundarbans in Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide”

Abstract

This paper investigates the convergence of ecocriticism and subaltern studies through Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide”, which is set in the ecologically vulnerable and politically marginalized Sundarbans. By integrating the issues of environmental degradation and marginalization of subaltern voices—especially those of refugees, indigenous populations, and the non-human realm—this article introduces a novel framework termed Eco-Subalternity. Ghosh’s narrative illustrates how prevailing ecological discourses, including conservation and climate policy, frequently silence those who are most impacted by environmental decisions. The depiction of the Morichjhanpi massacre, Fokir’s instinctive ecological knowledge and the conflict between scientific inquiry and lived experiences highlight the necessity for a critical perspective that merges ecological justice with subaltern agency. This work champions an inclusive ecocriticism that considers the perspectives of both human and non-human subalterns, recognizing the power dynamics inherent in their voices, spaces, and struggles for survival.