NATURAL CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IN SHUSTERMAN'S DRY NOVEL: A STUDY OF ECOCRITICISM

Abstract

The research aims to analyze environmental issues in the form of water crisis in the novel Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman. The story focuses on the main character Alyssa using an ecocritical approach by raising six concepts, namely pollution, apocalypse, wilderness, dwelling, animal and earth which are put forward by Greg Garrard. The approach used in this is a contextual oriented approach, which views literary works as cultural products that are closely related to social, political, and environmental conditions at a certain time. The results of the research show that Dry significantly presents ecological issues through natural disasters, social conflicts, the collapse of community structures and the struggle for survival in the midst of the disasters that occur. In addition to the concepts of wilderness, animal and earth are also seen in the efforts and behaviors of the characters in their adventures and also their responses to animals. This research is expected to contribute to the study of environmental literature, as well as become a reference in ecological literacy learning through literary work.