Socio-Environmental Stress and Female Resilience in Indira Goswami’s The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker

This paper explores the dual themes of socio-environmental stress and female resilience in the novel The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker. The title itself reveals the idea that decaying culture and tradition leave society exposed to further decay. Based on real-life experiences, Goswami highlights the resilience of women and their connection to nature in her works. Set against the backdrop of the socio-cultural context of Assam, the novel highlights how environmental exploitation impacts the lives of the women in Assam. Goswami underscores the socio-environmental issues and women’s resilience amidst their shared struggles in society. Ecofeminists believe that to abolish the oppression of women, all the other forms of oppression, particularly environmental oppression, must be abolished. As Rosemary Radford Ruether said, “women must see that there can be no liberation for them and no solution to the ecological crisis within a society whose fundamental model of relationships continues to be one of domination” illustrates the connection of women and nature and their subjugation by men. The narrative brings out the deterioration of land, which holds the space of identity, social status, and security, creating a greater impact amidst women through which they navigate the importance of resilience. Goswami, through her powerful storytelling, demonstrates the inner strength of women as they confront both personal, social and ecological crises. The socio-environmental study on the significance of resilience and collective effort builds awareness of the issues of women and ecological degradation.

Keywords: environmental stress, female resilience, ecofeminism, socio-cultural, ecocriticism