Interspecies Symbiosis in Ecocriticism - Suresh Frederick's Perspective
Title: Understanding Interspecies Symbiosis through Ecocriticism
Based on the Work of: Dr. Suresh Frederick (Author of Ecocriticism: Paradigms and Praxis)
What is Interspecies Symbiosis?
Interspecies symbiosis refers to the mutual, respectful coexistence and interdependence between humans and other species. Dr. Suresh Frederick argues that humans are not superior but are equal participants in a shared ecosystem.
Key Literary and Observational Examples
1. Squirrels: Eco-Symbols of Coexistence
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Seen building nests in both trees and human dwellings
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Alert other creatures to danger with warning chirps
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Help regenerate forests by dispersing seeds
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Message: They are collaborators, not pests
2. Sparrows: Vanishing Companions of Urban Life
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Declining due to radiation and habitat loss
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Once nested in tiled roofs and fed on home grains
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Message: Their absence signals ecological imbalance
3. Pollinators: Bees and Butterflies
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Vital to agriculture and biodiversity
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Suffer from pesticide use and habitat destruction
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Message: Their survival is directly linked to human food security
4. Trees: Our Breathing Partners
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Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with us
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Provide shelter, shade, and habitat for other species
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Message: Literal and symbolic partners in ecological harmony
Ecocritical Implications
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Literature should reflect nature as active, not just background
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Animals and plants deserve literary presence and voice
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Ecological damage should be read as an ethical failure
Notable Interpretation
“Our survival on this earth depends on our recognition of other species not as tools or threats, but as co-travelers on the planet”. – Suresh Frederick
Classroom Discussion Questions
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Can you name a literary work where a non-human species is central?
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How can literature change our view of “lesser” species / non-humanbeings?
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In what ways do our daily lives violate or support interspecies symbiosis?
Recommended Reading:
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Ecocriticism: Paradigms and Praxis by Suresh Frederick
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