O livro de Zenóbia and Essa coisa viva:

an ecocritical reading of Maria Esther Maciel’s literary productions

Abstract

This article analyzes, from an ecocritical perspective, the natural elements in the works O livro de Zenóbia (2004) and Essa coisa viva (2024) by Brazilian author Maria Esther Maciel. The study investigates how the author gives voice and uniqueness to natural elements and establishes the interrelation between the environment and human experiences, emotions, and memories. Based on a theoretical framework grounded in the ecocritical principles of Garrard (2006), Buell (1995; 2005), and Mukherjee (2010), as well as the concept of environmental memory proposed by Yi-Fu Tuan (1980) and Devos (2008), the work observes how plants, fruits, landscapes, and even animals not only compose the narrative setting but also shape character development and plot progression. In O livro de Zenóbia, lists of endangered plants are presented, broadening ecological awareness, while detailed descriptions of natural elements reinforce interconnectedness with the environment. In Essa coisa viva, nature takes on an intimate and psychological role, serving as an emotional refuge and helping the protagonist to reframe traumas. By emphasizing these aspects, the author challenges anthropocentric hierarchies and proposes a new ethic of coexistence, where all forms of life possess agency and significance. Thus, both works demonstrate the potential of literature to address the interdependence between humans and non-humans and to foster reflections on environmental awareness and justice.