Submersion of Soil: An Ecocritical Reading of Land in Na D’ Souza’s Dweepa

B. Santhi Sree and N. Usha

Published in Literary Oracle — Vol.8, Issue I, May 2024

Keywords: Dweepa Island, Ecocriticism, Submersion, Struggle, Displacement, Marginalized.

Abstract:

The paper explores the enduring struggle in human existence, where survival remains the foremost concern despite facing numerous obstacles. Through an analysis of the first displacement Kannada novella Dweepa (2013) written by Lanard D’Souza, the study emphasizes the detrimental consequences of displacement and modernization on underprivileged communities situated at the lower rungs of India’s caste-based social hierarchy. The novel vividly depicts the hardships endured by Ganapayya and the generations of families uprooted from their ancestral homes on the Sharavathi river island Hosamanehalli, shedding light on the devastating ramifications brought about by the construction of Linganamakki dam. Furthermore, it underscores the intricate relationship between nature, culture, and human agency in development and modernization. In this paper, we delve into the profound and enduring struggles that encompass human existence, where the pursuit of survival remains paramount despite the many challenges faced. It examines the far-reaching consequences that contemporary technologies and societal systems impose on individuals, often resulting in the marginalization and isolation of specific groups within society. To shed light on these issues, Dweepa serves as a powerful lens through which we can discern the detrimental effects of displacement and modernization on underprivileged communities positioned at the lower echelons of India’s deeply entrenched caste-based social hierarchy.

https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2024-28714327/LiteraryOracle/2024/V8/I1/A13