SLOW VIOLENCE AND WAR: A COMPARATIVE ECOCRITICAL STUDY OF THE BLIND MAN’S GARDEN AND NO SPACE FOR FURTHER BURIALS

Abstract

This study offers a comparative ecocritical analysis of Nadeem Aslam's (2013) The Blind Man’s Garden and Feryal Ali Gauhar's (2007) No Space for Further Burials through the lens of  Nixon's (2011) perspective derived from Slow Violence and Environmentalism of the Poor. The study explores how these narratives depict the gradual yet devastating environmental degradation caused by prolonged conflict, a phenomenon often overlooked in traditional discourse. Both novels highlight the inseparable bond between human suffering and ecological destruction, illustrating how war obliterates not only the physical landscapes but also the cultural, moral, and social fabrics of society against the backdrop of the post-9/11. The research identifies key findings: first, the representation of slow violence as a pervasive and insidious force that extends the horrors of war beyond immediate human casualties to the environment; second, the novels' portrayal of the interconnectedness of human and ecological suffering, suggesting that the damage inflicted on nature is a reflection of the violence within humanity; and third, the role of historical and cultural contexts in shaping the narratives, the enduring impact of colonialism and global conflicts on contemporary ecological crises. These findings emphasize the urgency of addressing the environmental consequences and societal degeneration caused by wars.