The Eco-Community Construction In Prodigal Summer By Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver(1955--)is a famous contemporary American writer.Her novel Prodigal Summer employs the multidimensional narrative technique to direct people’s attention to the relationship between humans and nature in rural communities through the stories of three female characters,Deanna,Lusa and Nannie.Mainly based on Aldo Leopold’s theory of Land Ethic,along with Charles Darwin’s theory of moral conscience,this thesis analyzes how the author sets an example for the construction of the ecological community in the areas of ideology,economy and education.This thesis first discusses the ideological construction of ecological community construction in the novel.The ecologically unconscious locals’ one-sided pursuit of economic benefits brings a series of crises to the Appalachian Mountains region,which calls for the construction of the ecological community.The heroines’ ecological holistic view changes to a great extent the local famers with the anthropocentric view.Then the thesis analyses the economic construction in the novel.The three heroines actively explore the ways to develop local economy.Guided by the sustainable development concept,they scientifically use land,grow pollution-free crops and promote green agriculture.Their successful practice inspires the local villagers.Finally,this thesis delves into the education construction in eco-community construction,including children’s and adults’ ecological education.The three heroines influence both children and adults around by words and deeds,and finally root the ecological concept in their minds and change their behavior.Through the above analysis,this thesis shows the importance of cultivating ecological consciousness and establishing ecological view,which means that only a profound change in people’s perceptions can bring about changes in their behavior so as to realize,based on sustainability,the construction of ecological community where mankind and nature achieve a shared prosperity.