Deep Ecology and Transcendence in Sumana Roy's How I Became a Tree

Abstract: When human being feels the disillusionment of being a human, there is a possibility of finding deeper meaning of life and exploring connection with nature, so that one can analyse the path taken by humans in the name of progress and the drawbacks associated with this progress. Nature’s divine existence has been felt by many writers in the past and ecocritical theorists have critiqued how this benevolent nature has been exploited and abused by humans. Sumana Roy, an Indian author, has highlighted the importance of close association with nature and in her memoir How I Became a Tree (2017) she starts learning the natural way of life from trees. The trees that are not restricted by clocks and artificial appearances, provide an insight towards a calm and hassle free existence.“Tired of making mistakes, I turned to the plant world for lessons” (16). The violence prevalent in human world in the form of rapes, murders, honour killings, is not found among trees. Roy reminds the readers of Margaret Atwood’s novel Surfacing and Chipko Movement of Garhwal Himalayas. The present paper explores the need to live in harmony with nature and understand the wisdom hidden behind the innocent and benevolent ways of nature. Keywords: Ecology, Nature, Plants, Trees, How I Became a Tree, Sumana Roy