Nature's Ink : Ecocritical Explorations in Swedish and Japanese Literature

Abstract: Ecocriticism is a field that examines the relationship between literature and the physical environment. As an emerging discipline, it is crucial to expand its contribution to reinforce the existing literature. A writer's creation of a literary world reflects their life and relationship to the outside world. In this context, the thesis provides an alternative perspective to prior studies that emphasize nature as a character within the narrative of literary works. The central research question guiding this investigation is: "What representations of nature do we find in The Christmas Oratorio and in Lake of Heaven? What is the human perception of and connection to nature in these books?" Employing qualitative content analysis, the study interprets and analyses excerpts from the chosen novels. The findings reveal that nature plays a significant role in the narrative of both works, exhibiting agency and profound interconnection with other characters. In The Christmas Oratorio, nature assumes the role of a character, intricately entwined with human experiences and emotions. Conversely, in Lake of Heaven, nature is imbued with a more spiritual essence, symbolizing the soul and closely linked to human perceptions and experiences. This thesis endeavours to address research gaps by exploring the intricate interplay between humans and nature, as depicted in the selected literary works. Readers can better comprehend the writers' consciousness in the relationship to nature by understanding how they depict this interaction.