Reflections on the Novel, Ecology, and the Laws of Thermodynamics

Abstract The intertwined narratives of realistic fiction and the laws of thermodynamics parallel one another in their shaping of anthropocentric perspectives. The novel, with its human-centered storytelling, forward trajectory, concern with the details of daily life, and satisfyingly closed endings, has powerfully influenced our expectations for narratives in both fiction and non-fiction alike. Examining two ecologically problematic aspects of the novel—its anthropocentrism and its apparent closure—in relation to the science of energy, this study suggests that understanding the biases within novelistic storytelling can shed light on inherent biases in scientific narratives, encouraging a reevaluation of energy discourse to foster alternative perspectives and ecologically conscious worldviews.