INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGLISH, LITERATURE AND CULTURAL STUDIES

Abstract

This study employs an ecofeminist framework to explore the intricate connections between oil, women, and the environment in Kaine Agary’s Yellow Yellow(2006) and Christie Watson’s Tiny Sunbirds Faraway (2011) Through qualitative literary analysis, the study reveals how oil symbolises patriarchal authority, reinforcing systems of oppression that affect both women and the natural world within petrol-driven capitalist societies. The findings reveal a profound relationship between environmental degradation and the subjugation of women, indicating that the exploitation of natural resources is intricately linked to the suppression of female identities. Oil acts as a tool that confines women to traditional roles, eroding their individuality and agency, while petrol-capitalists are portrayed as significant barriers to sustainable practices that negatively impact women and future generations. The narratives highlight the female protagonists as resilient figures who strive for autonomy, dignity, and survival in landscapes damaged by oil extraction. The study critiques the degradation inherent in oil-dependent societies, demonstrating how petrol culture, capitalism, and patriarchy together perpetuate the systemic exploitation of both women and the environment. The study concludes by emphasising the urgent need to safeguard women’s rights and environmental health, arguing that these protections are crucial for achieving ecological sustainability and ensuring humanity’s survival. By illuminating the interconnectedness between gender oppression and environmental degradation, the study advocates for a more equitable and sustainable future that recognises the intrinsic value of both women and the earth.