Ecology in Crisis: An Ecocritical Study of Environmental Collapse in Netflix Series Shadow and Bone (2021)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63468/sshrr.231Keywords:
Greg Garrard, environmental degradation, Shadow Fold, industrialization, ecocriticism, pollution, wilderness, apocalypse, dwelling, animals, pastoral, futureAbstract
This study examines the depiction of ecological trauma and environmental degradation in Netflix series Shadow and Bone (2021, Season 1) through the lens of ecocriticism, using Greg Garrard’s seven key concepts: pollution, wilderness, apocalypse, dwelling, animals, pastoral, and future. It explores how the series portrays environmental destruction driven by industrialization and war, focusing on weapons development, devastated landscapes, and the consequences of militarized power. The fantasy world of Shadow and Bone is interpreted as a metaphor for real-world ecological decline, illustrating how human ambition, technological advancement, and authoritarian control can inflict lasting harm on the natural world. The findings reveal how fantasy tropes are transformed into powerful symbols of ecological concern, prompting reflection on the consequences of unchecked industrial progress and technological excess. This research contributes to ecological discourse by showing how fantasy television can foster environmental awareness and challenge dominant cultural attitudes toward nature.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ms Farwa Khurram, Dr Katsiaryna Hurbik, Ms Habiba Ibrar
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