The Wetland Ecological Community in Where the Crawdads Sing from the Perspective of Material Ecocriticism

In her novel Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens, a distinguished contemporary American author, explores the intricate and subtle symbiotic relationship between the wetland and humans. From the perspective of material ecocriticism, this paper first analyzes the textuality, storied, and eventness of the wetland as non-human natural material, and then examines the interactions between the wetland and the protagonist Kya on the levels of body, consciousness, and language, as well as their mutual care and development. The emotional bond and interdependence between them exemplify the agency and intra-action between humans and non-human material. This shared material existence fosters a kinship of mutual growth and reinforcement, culminating in a harmonious and thriving ecological home jointly constructed by humans and wetlands.