Publication Date
Spring 2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English and Comparative Literature
Advisor
Nancy Stork; Noelle Brada-Williams; Daniel Rivers
Abstract
This paper uses an ecocritical lens to examine the portrayal of Iceland’s physical environment in Njal’s Saga. Drawing on historical and scientific context, this paper applies the ecocritical lens using an interdisciplinary approach to explore how the author crafted a narrative that idealizes Iceland’s Saga Age, selectively highlighting aspects of the environment that align with a vision of the land’s fertility and the people’s honor. This paper seeks to uncover the nuances of the author’s portrayal through a comparative analysis of four English translations of the saga. Applying the ecocritical lens allows for a deeper discussion of the implications for understanding Icelandic societal ideals and cultural attitudes towards the environment. This analysis raises questions about the role of literature in shaping cultural attitudes towards the environment and calls for further exploration of the intersection between narrative representation and ecological impact in medieval saga literature.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Michelle Fae, "“Lovely is the Hillside” An Ecocritical Analysis of the Narrative Function of Setting Elements in Njal’s Saga" (2024). Master's Theses. 5511.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.hk8d-7dbc
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/5511
