Ecocritical approach to childrens literature: Example of I am a Hornbeam Branch

Eco-criticism determines how the relationships of each element belonging to the field of being outside the human beings with each other and their environment are depicted in literary texts, the approach of literature to these relationships, as well as the forms of discourse in which a human being can direct through language. The aim of this study is to examine the children book entitled I Am a Hornbeam Branch by Hasan Ali ToptaÅŸ in the context of human-nature relationship and question with what perspectives eco-criticism scrutinizes such literary texts. In this study, the possibilities of thinking about nature are discussed through “I am a Hornbeam Branch” written in an eco-critical language. In the thought imposed by the "human" oriented hierarchical order, inquiries have been made that every living thing other than a human being is considered as the “other” and deprived of an identity owing to the lack of language and intellect. Furthermore, it has been determined that the representation of “nature” is presented in a cycle based on ecological consciousness by taking into consideration material transformations and that the problems of nature are cited not only environmentally but also as sociological, psychological and cultural problems that concern humanity.   Key words: Human, nature, environment, ecology, eco-criticism, children's literature.