AN ECOCRITICAL EXAMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND CONSERVATION IN THE WORKS OF JOHN STEINBECK

Abstract: Myths are a human construct devised as an ideal counterbalance to the forces of nature. The concept of nature is characterized by its timeless and transcendent qualities, as it exists beyond the confines of any specific laws or limitations. In mythological narratives, nature is often portrayed as an eschatological entity, representing life as an ongoing and uninterrupted progression. In his literary works, John Steinbeck portrays the contemporary human psyche's lack of awareness towards the fundamental worldview that perceives nature as a cohesive symbiotic entity, whereby humanity is inherently interconnected. In his literary works, John Steinbeck portrays the contemporary human psyche's lack of awareness towards the fundamental perspective of the primeval worldview, whereby nature is seen as a cohesive and interdependent system, with mankind being an intrinsic component thereto. The primary objective of this study is to analyze John Steinbeck's book through the lens of environmental ethics, sustainability, and conservation. This study posits that Steinbeck, throughout his body of work, consistently emphasizes the interdependence of several elements, including humanity, individual experiences, and the surrounding environment. The characters' comprehension of the interconnectedness of all elements in the natural world enables them to achieve a comprehensive metaphysical perspective on the oneness of the cosmos. This perspective emerges from the many assessments of life and natural laws.