Published Paper Details:

Ecofeminism, an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, investigates the interconnected domination of women and nature within patriarchal societies. Literary texts frequently reveal this relationship through narratives that depict gender violence, ecological degradation, and technological domination. The dystopian novel Escape (2008) by Manjula Padmanabhan presents a disturbing vision of a future world in which women have been systematically eliminated and ecological balance has collapsed under the weight of technological excess and authoritarian governance. This paper analyzes Escape from an ecofeminist perspective in order to explore how the novel represents the interconnected oppression of women and nature. Drawing upon ecofeminist theories developed by Carolyn Merchant, Vandana Shiva, and Val Plumwood, the study examines the dystopian landscape of the narrative, the patriarchal erasure of women, the ecological devastation produced by technological domination, and the symbolic resistance embodied by the character of Meiji. The paper argues that Padmanabhan's narrative exposes the destructive consequences of patriarchal domination over both female bodies and natural ecosystems. By portraying a world devoid of women and ecological harmony, the novel functions as a cautionary allegory that addresses contemporary issues such as gender discrimination, declining sex ratios, environmental exploitation, and technological determinism. Ultimately, the study concludes that Escape underscores the urgent need for ecological awareness and gender justice in order to prevent the dystopian future it imagines.