Unveiling the Tragedy of Species Extinction in Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer: A Shallow and Deep Ecological Reading from a Global South Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer through the ecocritical frameworks of shallow ecology and deep ecology, with particular attention to species extinction, biodiversity conservation, and ecological interdependence. The study argues that the novel presents the extinction of species not merely as an environmental concern but as a moral, cultural, and ecological crisis resulting largely from human intervention in natural systems. Through the characters of Deanna Wolfe, Nannie Rawley, Lusa Maluf Landowski, and Garnett Walker, Kingsolver explores the fragile relationships that connect humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Particular attention is given to the representation of coyotes, salamanders, and the American chestnut tree as symbols of ecological balance and biodiversity. The paper further extends the discussion by placing Kingsolver’s ecological concerns in dialogue with Global South and South Asian environmental discourses, including the environmental activism of Vandana Shiva and the ecological concerns reflected in contemporary South Asian environmental writing. By comparing environmental degradation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline across cultural contexts, the study demonstrates the global relevance of Kingsolver’s ecological vision. The paper also engages with existing scholarship on Prodigal Summer and argues that Kingsolver moves beyond conservationist perspectives by advocating an ethic of coexistence between human and non-human life. Ultimately, the novel aligns closely with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and contributes significantly to contemporary eco-literature by highlighting the urgency of biodiversity preservation and ecological responsibility.