Unveiling Agricultural Odes with the aid of Thirukkural: A Bio-centric Study in the works of Munro and Bond

Abstract

This study delves into the significant thematic intersections of farming, agriculture, and environment found in the select short stories of two distinguished authors, Alice Munro and Ruskin Bond. It discovers how these literary stalwarts employ the backdrop of rural life, farming, and the natural world to illustrate deeper human experiences. Alice Munro’s stories frequently take place in rural Canada, where farming and agriculture play an important role in the lives of the people. Her stories depict the fortitude and perseverance of humans confronted with natural problems, underlining the inherent link between mankind and the land. Similarly, Ruskin Bond’s stories set in the Indian countryside generate a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simplicity. His stories demonstrate the peaceful cohabitation of humans and the environment, emphasising the need to protect our natural surroundings. Also, in Tamil literature, Thiruvalluvar has portrayed the importance of nature and environment in his work Thirukkural. Under the section “Porul” which means Wealth, in the subchapter “Kudiyiyal” meaning ‘Domestic Virtue’, Valluvar highlights the interconnection of humans with nature. He gives importance to agriculture, farming and the importance of a balanced environment in that chapter. By touching on the references from “Tirukkural”, one can understand the need for nature in harmony to keep our lives in harmony. Bond and Munro also have the same viewpoint regarding nature. The short stories taken up for study are Munro’s “Dear Life,” “Labor Day Dinner,” “In Sight of Lake,” and “Lichen,” and Bond’s “Blue Umbrella,” “Summer Season,” “As Times Goes By,” and “Growing Up with Trees”. This article highlights how Munro and Bond skilfully integrate rural life, occupation and nature into their narratives to emphasise the value of humans’ relationship with land and environment.

Keywords

• rural life
• human-nature relationship
• eco-conscious
• short stories
• alice munro
• ruskin bond
• thirukkural.