The paper titled "Exploring ‘Solastalgia’ and ‘Speciestalgia’ in Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior by Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim Ibrahim Radwan focuses on the psychological and emotional dimensions of climate change as depicted in Barbara Kingsolver's novel, Flight Behavior. The study examines how the novel dramatizes the impact of climate change on both human and non-human lives, using the concepts of ‘solastalgia’ and ‘speciestalgia’ to explore the distress and nostalgia induced by environmental changes.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the psychological and emotional effects of climate change beyond the material and scientific aspects, highlighting how these changes influence personal experiences and decisions. The scope of the research includes an analysis of how the novel reflects the broader challenges posed by climate change and its impact on the characters' lives.
Methodologically, the study is grounded in literary analysis, focusing on the narrative structure of Flight Behavior and its portrayal of climate change. The research draws on theoretical frameworks developed by Dan Bloom and Glenn Albrecht, who coined the terms ‘solastalgia’ and ‘speciestalgia’ to describe the psychological impacts of environmental degradation and species loss.
The key findings of the study reveal that Flight Behavior effectively humanizes the abstract and scientific concept of climate change by embedding it in the personal struggles and emotional journeys of its characters. The novel illustrates how climate change affects not only the environment but also the mental and emotional well-being of individuals, particularly through feelings of loss, despair, and displacement. The study highlights the novel's ability to make the reader more aware of the interconnectedness of humans and the environment.
In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of Flight Behavior as a work of climate fiction that brings to the forefront the often-overlooked psychological and emotional consequences of climate change. It argues that by focusing on the personal and emotional impacts of environmental changes, the novel fosters a deeper understanding and awareness of the urgent need for action in the face of global environmental crises. The paper concludes that the concepts of ‘solastalgia’ and ‘speciestalgia’ are central to understanding the full scope of the climate crisis and its profound effects on both the natural world and human psychology.