ECOMARXISM IN AMITAV GHOSH’S IBIS TRILOGY

Abstract

The paper aims at analyzing the novels of Ibis trilogy The Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke and The Flood of Fire from the point of view of Ecomarxist ideology. Ecomarxism deals with the tendency of the capitalist to destroy nature and exploit the marginalized section of society in the process of increasing their profit. The Sea of Poppies explicates the British government forcing the farmers throughout north India to cultivate poppy which makes the staple food costly and results in turning the farmers into indentured labourers. River of Smoke highlights the commercial exploration of acquiring Chinese plants for European trade through the character of Fitcher Penrose. The Flood of Fire deals with the plight of poor Indian soldiers who are recruited to fight for the British in China. These poor soldiers had to pledge their life so that the British could yield more profit by indulging in opium trade. Chinese economy was destroyed by the British government through the opium trade. The import of tea from China was stopped by establishing tea plantations in India. Colonial rulers in their need to expand their trade economy had exploited human rights and denied relationship between people and their land