Trees and text : a material ecocritical exploration of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 in the Green Bible
In this study, I employ material ecocritical theory to explore both the depiction of trees in Gen. 2:4b-3:24 in the specific text of the Green Bible, and the Green Bible itself as a 'material-discursive' object. These two analytical approaches represent two modes of enquiry that are unique to material ecocritical discourse: 'matter in text' and 'matter as text', respectively. Trees are therefore at the centre of this study. Narrated trees are the focus of my textual analysis of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 and real-world trees are the primary natural material from which the text of the Green Bible is produced out of a complex assemblage of forestry, manufacturing, publication, distribution, marketing, and interpretation. I establish that Bennett's model of distributive agency is compatible with material ecocritical theory and I employ this model in my methodology. I explore the 'material-botanical' features of the trees in Gen. 2:4b-3:24 and the numerous agencies exhibited by these trees. This analysis highlights the extent to which the trees of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 have been overlooked in ecological, narrative-critical, and theological readings of the passage, and allows me to propose a unique solution to why eating from the
Hamon, R. B.
Trees and text : a material ecocritical exploration of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 in the Green Bible. In this study, I employ material ecocritical theory to explore both the depiction of trees in Gen. 2:4b-3:24 in the specific text of the Green Bible, and the Green Bible itself as a 'material-discursive' object. These two analytical approaches represent two modes of enquiry that are unique to material ecocritical discourse: 'matter in text' and 'matter as text', respectively. Trees are therefore at the centre of this study. Narrated trees are the focus of my textual analysis of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 and real-world trees are the primary natural material from which the text of the Green Bible is produced out of a complex assemblage of forestry, manufacturing, publication, distribution, marketing, and interpretation. I establish that Bennett's model of distributive agency is compatible with material ecocritical theory and I employ this model in my methodology. I explore the 'material-botanical' features of the trees in Gen. 2:4b-3:24 and the numerous agencies exhibited by these trees. This analysis highlights the extent to which the trees of Gen. 2:4b-3:24 have been overlooked in ecological, narrative-critical, and theological readings of the passage, and allows me to propose a unique solution to why eating from the
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