Reading Get A Life From The Perspective Of Ecocriticism

Nadine Gordimer (1923-), a prolific writer, is regarded as a public intellectualand the voice for social justice against the apartheid. In her works of anti-apartheidpronouncement, she bravely mirrors the darkness of segregation and speaks out onbehalf of the blacks who have been treated unequally. However, when the apartheidwas over, the writer unexpectedly remained silent to the social conflicts. In herpost-apartheid works, including Get a life, Gordimer shifts her focus to the individualresponsibilities and choices instead of directly reflecting the social problems as before.So some scholars cast doubt upon Gordimer’s role as the voice for social justice.Gordimer is even ironically called as a "legitimizing intellectual".This thesis will make a tentative study of Gordimer’s latest novel—Get a Lifefrom the perspective of ecocriticism with an attempt to prove the author’s unchangedrole of the voice for social justice. Get a Life is set in post-apartheid South Africawhen economic development becomes an excuse for the damage to naturalenvironment, and when a large number of people are blind to the existingenvironmental problems, having no intention to shoulder the responsibility ofprotecting the worsening natural environment. Through the demonstration of theecological crises (natural ecological crisis, social ecological crisis and spiritualecological crisis) which people are confronted with, Get a Life reveals Gordimer’secological stance in the ethical level that human beings are just one part of theinterrelated ecosystem, and that they should desert their anthropocentric worldview,reposition themselves in the ecosystem and develop their sense of responsibility fornature. In addition, this novel implies the way to maintain the integrity and balance ofthe whole ecosystem, which discloses Gordimer’s valuable ecological wisdom forecological crises and her expectation of the future of her country. With the theory ofecocriticism, the author of this thesis attempts to reveal Gordimer’s deep concern forthe current reality of her country. It is pointed that Gordimer never gives up her role as a conscientious intellectual. Even though it is during the post-apartheid period, sheis still a writer with a strong sense ofresponsibility for her country and people.