This research article presents an ecocritical analysis of three short stories by R.K. Narayan—A Snake in the Grass, The Snake-Song, and Naga. The study explores how Narayan portrays the relationship between human beings and the natural world through symbolic representations of snakes in these narratives. Drawing upon ecocritical theory, the article examines themes such as ecospirituality, ecological consciousness, and cultural attitudes towards animals in Indian traditions. The study also connects Narayan’s literary imagination with ancient Indian philosophical perspectives that view nature as sacred and interconnected with human life. Through references to Hindu mythology, snake worship traditions, and environmental ethics embedded in Indian culture, the article highlights how Narayan’s stories reflect a deep ecological sensibility. The analysis further situates Narayan’s writing within broader discussions of ecotheology and zoocriticism in contemporary literary studies. This resource contributes to the fields of Ecocriticism, Indian English Literature, Environmental Humanities, and Cultural Ecology, and is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in literature and environmental studies.
SRINIVAS NOOJILLA (Wed,) studied this question.