Nature, Memory, and Crisis: An Environmental Humanities Approach to Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam Trilogy

Abstract

In an era characterized by melting ice caps, rampant deforestation, and widespread species extinction, literature represents a critical domain for addressing ecological uncertainty and ethical responsibility. This research paper examines the intersections of literature, ecology, and ethics within the framework of environmental humanities, specifically focusing on Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy. The study situates Atwood’s speculative fiction within the broader context of ecological thought and environmental justice, exploring how it interrogates the ramifications of unregulated scientific progress, climate change, corporate avarice, and biodiversity loss. By integrating principles of environmental philosophy, posthumanist ethics, and narrative analysis, this paper posits that Atwood’s oeuvre not only mirrors the ecological anxieties of the Anthropocene but also advocates for an Anthropocene but also advocates for a redefined relationship between human beings, animals, and ecosystems. The research highlights the ways in which the trilogy’s dystopian settings, genetically engineered species, and fragmented human communities serve as allegorical representations of the ethical quandaries and existential threats arising from environmental degradation. By drawing on critical theories from scholars such as Lawrence Buell, Rob Nixon, and Val Plumwood, the study positions Atwood’s narratives as significant cultural responses that amplify marginalized voices, critique anthropocentric perspectives, and advocate for sustainable coexistence. Ultimately, the paper illustrates how literature, through imaginative reconstruction and ethical inquiry, can effectively engage with ecological crises and contribute to current discussions regarding imate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice.