RETHINKING THE ENVIRONMENT: OIL ON WATER AS A METAPHOR

Abstract

The twenty first century is, arguably, embroiled in a lot of social issues, which have become a clog in the wheel of its progress. Man’s environment in this current time could be said to be depleting at a very rapid progression. This is largely due to neglect and/or man’s unwholesome activities or practices. The Nigerian society in general, and particularly the Niger Delta region, is one part of Nigeria that comes to mind when the issue of environmental degradation is mentioned. Thus, the Niger Delta region of Nigeria becomes a metaphor for environmental degradation and rape of the ecosystem. This paper is an attempt to investigate the practices of man in relation to his environment. The paper focuses on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, with a view to interrogating the effects of the damage on its ecosystem. The paper deploys the theory of Eco criticism in its investigation, using Helon Habila’s Oil on Water. The paper, therefore, seeks to advance that man is an accomplice in the degradation of his environment