The Nature and Culture Binary in Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness

Abstract

The coexistence of nature and culture becomes an essential subject of study in the quest for ecological sustainability. Positive cultural traditions must be perpetuated to preserve the environment, as man’s attitude has amply demonstrated. The complex relationships between nature and culture make it even more important to take into account a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of humans and the ecosystem. The goal of this study was to explore Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness with a particular emphasis on how nature and culture can coexist to promote a sustainable ecosystem. It adopted postcolonial ecocriticism as its conceptual framework. The question that guided this study was: “How have nature and culture been presented in the novel to create eco-consciousness?” This study encourages readers to reflect critically, through a textual analysis of the unique characters that the novel presents, on how their choices affect the natural world and how culture and the natural world coexist. It serves as a gentle reminder to readers that keeping a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity is essential for both the survival of the ecosystem and the maintenance of a common human identity. This study ultimately contributes to the growing body of literature on postcolonial ecocriticism. Keywords: Culture, Ecological, Nature, Postcolonial-Ecocriticism, Sustainability