The Psychological Landscape of Ecological Disaster in J. G. Ballard's Fiction
Sheetal & Dr. Narender Kumar
1Research Scholar, Department of English,
Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak; E-mail:sheetalusa26@gmail.com
2Professor, Department of English, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak.
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the ecocritical implications of J. G. Ballard's speculative fiction, focusing on the psychological and societal impacts of ecological disasters as depicted in his novels The Drowned World, The Burning World, and High-Rise. Through a detailed analysis of these works, the study highlights Ballard’s unique narrative style and thematic focus on the degradation of the environment and its profound effects on human psychology and social structures. Ballard’s narratives serve as speculative projections that critique contemporary environmental policies and societal attitudes toward urban living and ecological responsibility. By interweaving dystopian scenarios with critical reflections on human behavior and environmental management, Ballard’s works prompt a re-evaluation of modern life’s sustainability and the urgent need to change how societies value and interact with their environments. This study argues that Ballard’s fiction is not only reflective of current ecological anxieties but also prescient in its depiction of the potential future challenges humanity may face if current practices continue unabated.
Keywords: J. G. Ballard, Ecocriticism, Environmental Disaster, Psychological Impact, Societal Collapse, Dystopian Fiction, Urban Ecology
