FROM ANTHROPOCENTRISM TO ECOCENTRISM: CHANGING PERSPECTIVES IN LITERARY CRITICISM

The growing environmental crisis has significantly influenced contemporary literary studies, leading to the emergence of ecocriticism as one of the most dynamic approaches to literary criticism. While traditional literary criticism was predominantly anthropocentric, placing human beings at the center of interpretation, ecocriticism proposes an ecocentric perspective that recognizes the intrinsic value of nature and emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and the environment. This paper examines the transition from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism in literary criticism by analyzing the theoretical foundations of ecocriticism and its contribution to contemporary literary studies. The study explores the ideas of prominent ecocritical scholars, including Cheryll Glotfelty, Lawrence Buell, Greg Garrard and Timothy Morton, whose works have reshaped the understanding of literature and the environment. The paper argues that literature is not merely a reflection of environmental issues but also an influential medium for developing ecological awareness, ethical responsibility, and sustainable thinking. The transition from anthropocentric to ecocentric criticism represents a fundamental paradigm shift that expands literary interpretation beyond human-centered concerns and highlights the importance of ecological balance in both literature and society.