Gender Equality and Women Empowerment through Learning in the Appalachian Setting of Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer
Sr No:
Page No:
11-14
Language:
English
Authors:
Thirumagal Deepa. S.*, Dr. S. Sakthivel
Received:
2026-03-16
Accepted:
2026-04-17
Published Date:
2026-04-28
Abstract:
The research will study the crucial role of women in Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Prodigal Summer and focuses on
characters like Deanna, Lusa, and Nannie. The study will analyze the gender inequality encountered by women while trying to striving
to save the integrity of crops as they use the organic fertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices to save the Earth. This reflects a
profound commitment of women to nurture and preserve the soil and land. Their environmental awareness extends to conserving
wildlife, notably their efforts to save coyotes from extinction, this highlights the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of
biodiversity. Through an ecofeminist lens, the paper scrutinizes how the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature are
interlinked, both rooted in patriarchal structures that the female characters vigorously oppose. The research will analyze how these
women are empowered in the phase of being suppressed and emerge as empowered women with vitality in acting as stewards in
conserving the environment. The discussion will address how the actions of these women align with key United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals of gender equality in particular. It captures the wilderness and complexity of the Appalachian ecosystem, the
article illustrates how Kingsolver’s narrative champions female stewardship and sustainable development as essential to ecological and
social renewal.
Keywords:
Appalachian region; Barbara Kingsolver; coyotes; Gender Equality; Organic farming; Prodigal summer; Sustainable Development goals.