The Interdisciplinarity of Post-colonialism and Environmentalism in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Abdel Rahman Munif's Cities of Salt

Abstract

Some literary works which have discussed the impact of colonialism upon natives could stress how colonialism has negatively affected the environment of colonies. This study briefly introduces the history of the growing interests in environmental issues and how the concept of environmental sustainability contradicts the main premises of capitalism which is considered the cornerstone of colonialism. The study focuses upon the fusion of post-colonialism and environmentalism in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Abdel Rahman Munif's Cities of Salt refuting the point that post-colonial criticism and environmental/eco-criticism have divergent perspectives. As the battle between the colonizers and colonized nations has been over the land, the study sheds light on the settings of both works to demonstrate the relationship between natives and environment before and after the arrival of colonizers. The peaceful co-existence between natives and environment has been disrupted by colonialism that aims to exploit the natural and human resources of colonies. The study reveals the negative impact of colonialism upon environment and the relationship between capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism on one hand and the questions of environmentalism on the other hand.