Ecological Masculinity: Reimagining the Man-Nature Relationship in Valli by Sheela Tomy

Abstract

A consensus exists among feminist and profeminist scholars that hegemonic masculinity, which equates strength with control,  is a primary driver of the prevailing ecological crisis. As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, it becomes increasingly necessary to question not only our ecological practices but also the cultural and gendered ideologies that underpin them. Rooted in ecocriticism and ecofeminism, ecomasculinity investigates the plurality of masculinities and traditional constructions of masculinity that valorize dominance, control, and separation from nature. Through Sheela Tomy's analysis of Valli, this study identifies representations of alternative masculinity that emphasize care, interdependence, and ecological stewardship. The novel is set in Wayanad, a hilly, lush green forested district in Kerala, India. The novel portrays the gradual environmental degradation of the landscape alongside the marginalization of indigenous tribal communities who have long lived in close harmony with the forest. This paper employs ecomasculinity as a critical framework to analyze male characters in the novel, thereby deepening our understanding of gender dynamics and advancing broader discussions of the cultural shifts required to achieve environmental resilience.