When the Author Sued for Exploitation of Women and Nature in Margaret Atwood's Surfacing

Abstract

Women and nature often experience violence. The research aims to describe the forms of female exploitation and nature represented in Margaret Atwood's Surfacing. Data collection is done through library studies. Vandana Shiva and Maria Mies' ecofeminism theory used to for analyzed the data. The results showed that the Surfacing novel represents three forms of exploitation experienced by women and nature. The three forms of exploitation are (1) reduction of the female uterus by the presence of technology; (2) exploitation of women and nature due to industrial interests; (3) Development and tree logging for the benefit of various industries. The study concludes that women are positioned as objects and 'the other' exploited by the capitalist patriarchy.Women are used for commercial gain, without thinking about the impact of ecological destruction that can afflict women and nature. Women are guardians of biodiversity and sustainability of life because it utilizes nature to fulfill daily life needs. Ecological crises and exploitation of women must be prevented. Those messages are presented in this novel.