COVID as a Metaphor for Ecodeath in J. P. Clark’s “A Dream Still to Live” and “Climate Change the Measure of our Times”

Abstract

Ecological studies have gained prominence in global literature, highlighting environmental degradation. This destruction results in ecocide and ecodeath, symbolizing the death of the environment due to human activities. For writers like J.P. Clark in Nigeria, metaphor serves as a powerful tool to comment on these issues. However, his poems "A Dream to Live" and "Climate Change: The Measure of Our Time" have received limited critical attention. To address this, this analysis employs psychoanalytic theory, focusing on trauma, to explore the poems' examination of the psychological impact of a damaged environment. It also draws a parallel between COVID and ecodeath. The study reveals that witnessing the pristine state of the environment and the harsh reality of degradation has caused depression and regret among individuals. This loss of peace and serenity contrasts with the distressing realities of a polluted or destroyed environment, leading to the trauma they experience. Reversing environmental depletion requires a concerted effort akin to combatting the COVID pandemic with a strategic, persistent, and determined approach.