An ecocritical reading of T.S. Eliot: An approach towards sustainable development

Abstract

T.S. Eliot's writings have always been an essential point of discussion among critics and scholars due to its di-verse range of themes and his focus on the major concerns of the modern period. Eliot was a keen observer of the great transformations which the environment has endured. The present paper is an attempt towards an ecocritical reading of Eliot's poems. His works depict the major environmental challenges such as pollution, population, water scarcity, deforestation, and therefore could be interpreted as his step towards sustainable development. Though the concept of sustainable development has evolved recently, the need to create awareness towards the environment was felt at the time when Eliot's writings were in progress. Hence, an eco-critical reading of Eliot's works helps in understanding his consciousness towards the degradation of the environment and his move towards creating awareness among others.