Subjugation of Women and Environment in the Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi: An Ecofeminist Analysis

Abstract

Ecofeminism is an interdisciplinary movement that amalgamates radical feminism and ecological principles. It serves as a key framework for comprehending the intertwined oppression of women and nature which posits that patriarchy has dominated both ecology and women for decades. The narrative unfolds in a future Thailand ravaged by environmental collapse and corporate control. The plot centers on Emiko, a genetically produced “windup girl,” who is regarded as a commodity, illustrating the overarching theme of commodification of the New Human/women in the novel. By analysing the character of Emiko and the critical condition of Environment in the novel, this paper will analyse The Windup Girl as a powerful critique of the capitalist ideology and the patriarchal dogmatic structure that intertwines the exploitation of women and the degradation of the environment. The dystopian setting in the fiction mirrors the real-world issues of environmental destruction and gender inequality. By examining the plot, characters and setting through an ecofeminist lens, the paper will demonstrate The Windup Girl as a powerful metaphor of patriarchy and environment crisis.