Journal of Northeastern University(Social Science) ›› 2024, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4): 143-150.DOI: 10.15936/j.cnki.1008-3758.2024.04.017

• Linguistics and Literature • Previous Articles    

Sharing, Resonance, and Consensus Between the Earth and Humanity: The Ecological Community in N. K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth Trilogy

CAO Jinrong   

  1. (School of Foreign Languages, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China)
  • Published:2024-09-03
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Abstract: The Broken Earth trilogy by three-time Hugo Award winner N. K. Jemisin challenges anthropocentric views, presenting a fresh post-humanist philosophy. Through the literary devices of anthropomorphism and petromorphism, the trilogy constructs an ecological community where humans and the Earth coexist symbiotically. The Earth is personified, endowed with perception, desideration, and cognition, shattering the binary notion of “human/non-human”. Post-humans, influenced by petromorphism, converge with the Earth both physiologically and psychologically. The guardians share the Earth's perception via core stone, seeking redemption amidst the “pain of the other”. The stone eaters resonate with the desires of the Earth, striving for reconciliation between the Earth and humanity. Orogenes, through immersive planetary experiences, come to terms with humanity's insignificance and greed, ultimately understanding the symbiotic bond between humans and the Earth.

Key words: The Broken Earth; post-humanism; ecological community; anthropomorphism; petromorphism

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