‘Greening’ Comparative Literature: Human and More-than-Human World in Zacharias Papantoniou The High Mountains and Roderick O’Grady’s Bigfoot Mountain

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the symbiotic relationship between human and more-than-human world through a series of descriptions and representations found in the Modern Greek prose titled The High Mountains [Ta Psila Vouna in Modern Greek] of Zacharias Papantoniou, and the Bigfoot Mountain of Roderick O’ Grady, focusing particularly on how humans and nonhumans evolve, live together and communicate. Both authors describe the natural world extensively, focusing on the childish perception and emotions in nature through the beauty and ‘purity’ of mountain life that is full of indigenous practices, myths and legends of the past. Through the ecocritical outlook we address three different but closely connected to each other layers: the perceptual, the psychological and the phenomenological. These three layers lay the ground to approach the natural as a mode for its re-evaluation. Reconnecting with nature involve fostering a closer relationship with the natural world. Papantoniou’s econarratives are exemplary of raising ecological awareness for the protection of nature while O’Grady’s econarratives view nature as kin, helping individuals to understand their place within a larger ecological web. Both authors cultivate a sense of belonging in nature, addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable living.