Ecofeminist interpositions: human–nature relationality in Martin MacInnes’ In Ascension

Ecofeminism addresses the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being, confronts patriarchal structures that exploit women and nature, and promotes a holistic understanding of the interconnectednvess of human and nonhuman worlds. This study attempts an ecofeminist analysis of Martin MacInnes’ In Ascension (2023), examines the intersections of gender, environment, and human experience, and ascertains how the narrative subverts anthropocentric paradigms. The experiences of Leigh, as a marine biologist and woman, illustrate the tenets of ecofeminism: care, reciprocity, and embodied relationality. The novel explores trauma, healing, and environmental responsibility through her evolving relationship with nature. MacInnes’ depiction of the effects of patriarchal structures on women and the environment highlights the need for an understanding of the intricate relationships between human survival and ecological sustainability. Thus, this study contributes to the growing scholarship on ecofeminism and investigates the ways in which contemporary fiction shapes dominant environmental narratives. We argue that In Ascension modifies established notions of human exceptionalism to reinforce the association of human welfare and environmental conservation.