When the beasts spoke: the ecopoetics of Joy Harjo

Mancelos, João de

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/4298

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Authors

Mancelos, João de

Abstract(s)

Joy Harjo is one of the most prominent Native American poets and musicians of her generation. In this paper I examine how Harjo creates a fictional world of anthropomorphism, fable, and personification, where rocks and rivers, animals and plants, voice a strong connection to the Creek history and landscape. I discuss how these natural elements can be seen as live symbols of a counter-culture. In fact, Harjo creates, reconstructs and reinterprets myths connected with the land, in order to denounce the Anglo-American abuse and exploitation of the natural resources, and to reinforce her belief in a worldwide indigenous community. Consequently, her poetry is part of an ethnic ecopoetics, with a strong universal appeal.

Keywords

Joy Harjo Ecopoetics Personification Anthropomorphism

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/4298

Citation

Mancelos, João de. “When the Beasts Spoke: The Ecopoetics of Joy Harjo”. JAST: Journal of American Studies in Turkey (American Studies Association of Turkey) 26 (Fall 2007): 69-73. ISSN: 1300-6606.