Unmasking Slow Violence: Ecological Imperialism and Climate Justice in Amitav Ghosh’s The Nutmeg’s Curse

Abstract

Using Rob Nixon’s idea of “slow violence” as the theoretical foundation, this paper examines the association between ecological imperialism and climate justice in Amitav Ghosh’s The Nutmeg’s Curse. Marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by slow violence, which is marked by gradual and frequently undetected environmental and social devastation over extended periods. This study examines the enduring impact of colonial practices on contemporary ecological crises and climate injustices by critically analysing Ghosh’s portrayal of the Banda Islands and the colonial exploitation of their natural resources. The analysis shows how Indigenous livelihoods and local ecosystems have been disrupted by ecological imperialism in the past, which has led to long-term environmental degradation, highlights the ongoing ecological disparities in the Global South, and draws a connection between past injustices and current climate justice challenges. This study also examines Ghosh’s use of narrative techniques to vividly and visually unfold the process of slow violence, highlighting the importance of literature in promoting greater public awareness and an in-depth understanding of climate justice. This paper recommends a climate justice methodological strategy that considers the historical legacy of ecological imperialism. It calls for actions and policies that support social justice and environmental sustainability, guided by a theoretical understanding of slow violence and the lessons from Ghosh’s The Nutmeg’s Curse.

Keywords: Ecological imperialism, climate justice, slow violence, environmental humanities, environmental degradation