Unearthing Ecofeminist Voice in Jessica Zafra’s “Portents”: Language in Nature-Culture Relationship Construction

Abstract

Using the ecofeminist lens, the study examines the short story “Portents” by Jessiza Zafra and determines how the nature-culture relationship within the Philippine literary context was reconstructed. Through close reading and textual analysis, the study attempted to address a critical gap in ecofeminist discourse by situating the analysis in a non-Western setting, unraveling the narrative’s ecological and societal implications. The findings highlight the narrative techniques, such as stream-of-consciousness, symbolic imagery, and dark humor, that bridge the protagonist’s struggles with environmental and social issues, which the author employed. The metaphor of pregnancy in the short story, which represents creation and destruction, is central to the study. It underscores the interconnectedness of gender and nature. It also critiques the patriarchal systems and humanity’s exploitative behavior toward the environment, through the use of an apocalyptic setting of war and ecological collapse to allegorize the instability of natural and cultural systems. Moreover, it discusses how the story challenges traditional binaries such as nature versus culture and gender versus agency, supporting the idea that humans and nature are deeply intertwined. Through this lens, Zafra reframes narratives surrounding motherhood, ecology, and human relationships, showcasing resistance and resilience in both women and the natural world. Lastly, the study presents a transformative critique of societal norms, advocating for a reimagined perspective of ecology and cultural interdependence.