Women and Children as Victims of Environmental Degradation: A Study of Christie Watson’s Novel, Tiny Sunbird Far Away

Abstract

Literature has been a reflective and corrective tool, used in the restoration of order in different societies, and amongst these societies, Nigeria is not an exception. The issue of the Niger Delta- an oil producing area in Nigeria has permeated literature in its different genres, with the intention of bringing about a change in the situation, as many writers such as Christie Watson have written literary pieces to expose the dire conditions of individuals living in these areas, who are constantly exposed to life threatening diseases, violence, insecurity and numerous forms of social decadence. Her book- Tiny Sunbirds Far Away reflects the struggles of women and children in the face of poverty, hunger, disease and pollution, to earn a living. The study “Women and Children as Victims of Environmental Degradation: A Study of Christie Watson’s Novel Tiny Sunbirds Far Away” takes an Ecofeminist stance to analyze the effects of man’s actions towards the environment and how these activities instigated by materialism affect women and children in Warri- the primary setting of the book. Women and children are focal in this paper, because they are faced with dual oppression-patriarchy, which continuously relegate them to second fiddle roles and environmental deterioration. This paper shows the resilience of women and children as they navigate through these tools of oppression.