BEYOND THE PASTORAL: RE-EVALUATING NATURE IN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE: A STUDY OF THE NOVEL 'THE OVERSTORY'

Literature is one of the fields of knowledge that concentrates on the ecological concerns. This
research article examines the interplay between literature and the natural world as in Richard Powers’
novel, The Overstory. It uses qualitative textual analysis and critical discourse analysis, as well as
empirical evidence, to discover how the narrative of Powers’ novel counters anthropocentric
worldviews by emphasizing nonhuman agency, showing how ecological interdependence is deeply
rooted in human culture, and influencing environmental activism. By exploring the novel’s thematic
intensity and innovative narrative practices, this article studies the impact that The Overstory has in
raising ecological awareness and in influencing cultural attitudes about stewardship of the natural
world and sustainability. The findings underscore the vital role of ecocriticism as a crucial and ethical
practice in the field of contemporary literary studies, and show that literature can make a profound
difference in the resolution of environmental threats and sustainability in society.