An Ecosophian Reading of Dystopia in Mohammad Nasrawi’s Homan: A Guattarian Approach

As a new analytical approach in philosophy and social sciences, Pierre Felix Guattari’s “ecosophy” highlights the correlation among humans, nature, and social constructs. As a pioneer of ecosophy, Guattari contextualises such correlations in a comprehensive philosophical system. Adopted as the theoretical framework of this study, in analysing a dystopian novel, the theory investigates human relations with nature on a deeper level. Adopting a Guattarian approach, this descriptive-analytical study offers an ecosophian reading of the ecologies of society and environment in Mohammad Nasrawi’s Homan.  The results of this study show that Homan profoundly criticises the oppressive social constructs. It also presents “Nihip” as a symbol of a society in which economy, politics, and culture are vessels of power, all of which turn the population into the passive tools of the oppressive system. Houman’s journey of reidentification correlates with the key notions of Guattari’s theory. Through new lands, ever-changing relations, and different experiences, the journey re-identifies Homan in a desubjectified setting. In this regard, one can argue that by employing philosophical and multi-layered structures, Homan depicts the endless journey of human identification.
 
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Dystopian literature is a new form of storytelling that reveals the ugly and oppressive nature of utopian societies. The presence of dystopian literary elements in the novel, as well as a gap in the literature, persuaded the researcher to investigate the novel in the light of Guattari’s ecosophy.
2. Methodology
Adopting a Guattarian approach, this descriptive-analytical study offers an ecosophian reading of the ecologies of society and environment in Mohammad Nasrawi’s Homan. 
3. Theoretical Framework
As a new analytical approach in philosophy and social sciences, Pierre Felix Guattari’s “ecosophy” thoroughly examines the complicated problems in modern societies, especially in literature and culture. In his The Three Ecologies, Guattari investigates the correlation among the society, environment, and the mind. He argues that an unbalanced correlation is the cause of modern problems; in other words, turbulence in one ecology directly impacts the others. The examples of such a worldview are evident in Homan.
4. Discussion and Analysis
Homan is among Nasrawi’s greatest works and might be considered as one of the canonical novels in young-adult literature. Through exploring issues such as power, subjectivity, consciousness, and resistance, the novel reflects Nasrawi’s extensive knowledge of utopias and dystopias. The profound presence of Guattari’s ecological triad is the main reason behind the selection of the novel. As an oppressive and destroyed society, Nihip represents an ecological and environmental crisis. The protagonist’s journey, on the other hand, is a process of his ecological mental re-identification.
5. Conclusion
The present study concludes that the three ecologies (mind, social, and environment) work together and are in no case isolated. Homan presents Nihip as a problematic societal ecology, which is governed by ideology, oppression, constant surveillance, and psychological subjugation. By controlling human interactions and reducing their subjectivity to passivity, this societal structure systematically oppresses subjectivity and awareness. This oppression is not limited to the societal ecology, it impacts the mind of the population as well; Nihipians lose their creativity, mental freedom, and the ability to conceptualise hope and change. Lastly, the environmental ecology closely correlates with the others; constant darkness, overusing the natural resources, and the destruction of the environment symbolize the social and mental decline of the Nihipians.
Homan’s journey symbolizes the hope in restoring this broken system. By moving beyond the darkness of Nihip, Homan starts a journey which, in turn, redefines the mental, social, and environmental ecologies. By restoring his mentality, Homan redefines his identity, and pushes toward a societal and environmental change. His encounter with Rousha and the Old Man leads to the restoration of hope. On the other hand, the return of the light restores the environmental ecology of Nihip and creates new subjectivities and social constructs.
Bibliography
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