Self in relation with the Other and the Earth in Nora K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth

Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2022     |     PP. 252-272      |     PDF (292 K)    |     Pub. Date: September 2, 2022
DOI: 10.54647/sociology84876    69 Downloads     4837 Views  

Author(s)

Shohreh Haji Mola Hosein, PhD of English Literature, Department of English Language & Literature, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
The trilogy of The Broken Earth, written by Nora K. Jemisin, demonstrates layers of themes among which self-in-relation with the other and the earth is a considerable subject for the rescue of the real world. Relational self was first theorized by the forerunners of socio-ecological feminists such as Val Plumwood and Greta Gaard. It gives an explanation of non-instrumental manner and continuous relationship between self (human) and the other (other humans, other genders, other races, other species, the natural world, and the earth). Sense of altruism, empathy for the other and responsibility for ecosystem, relational identity, protection of the other for the protection of self, heroism, self-sacrifice, and care for the other are significant characteristics of self-in-relational protagonists who are humans, super-humans, and non-humans in the trilogy. Eco-crises of the fantasy planet are the outcome of anthropocentrist and speciesist humans’ abuse of natural resources and other species of humans called Orogene. In spite of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, long winters and, unbalanced Father Earth caused by the cruel humans in two similar periods of time, American science fantasy author projects idealistic self-in-relational people whose devotions result in a justice-based community and the revival of the planet. Central characters’ relations to Father Earth are appropriate embodiment of the ideal relation of species to the earth and self-geology by which they find Father Earth an animated and active being similar to the humans. They come to the point that social environmental justice and interspecies justice are the matter of survival in the end of the world. Integration and solidarity among various races and species overcome domineering humans and renovate the damaged earth. Self-in-relational characters and some other individuals create a moral space among all species and a connection between species and Father Earth, identifying other species and the earth as their own relative.

Keywords
Altruism, Anthropocentrist and Speciesist Humans, Justice-based Community, Non-instrumental Manner, Self-in-relation with the Other and the Earth, Social Ecological Feminists

Cite this paper
Shohreh Haji Mola Hosein, Self in relation with the Other and the Earth in Nora K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth , SCIREA Journal of Sociology. Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2022 | PP. 252-272. 10.54647/sociology84876

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