British and American Ecocriticism in a Comparative Vision

Abstract

British and American ecocriticism arised in the same environmental crisis background in the mid-20th century which the western industrialized society was confronted. American literary scholars firstly introduced ecological perspective into literary studies and coined the term "ecocriticism" to name the their experiment. Meanwhile, with similar background and the inspiration of American ecocriticism, British scholars began their ecocritical research. They all realize the significance of ecological consideration to literary field and ecosphere. They work together to a shool of eco-oriented literary criticism. The two countries' ecocritical research, however, with their own landscape and theoretical traditions show different theoretical interest. In another way, though in the same historical backgroud and with common ecocritcal goal, they have their ecocritical research from different viewpoints and form their own respective theoretical orientation.