Volume VI Special Issue VI September 2026

Name of Author : Dr. Shveta Tripathi

Title of the paper : Ecological Memory and Indigenous Landscapes: An Ecocritical Study of Willa Cathers Death Comes for the Archbishop and The Professors House

Abstract: The relationship between literature, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge has become increasingly significant in contemporary environmental humanities. Willa Cathers fiction presents landscapes not merely as physical settings but as living cultural spaces that preserve ecological memory, spiritual traditions, and historical identity. This paper examines Death Comes for the Archbishop 1927 and The Professors House 1925 through the lens of ecocriticism and Indigenous environmental thought. It argues that Cather portrays the American Southwest as a landscape shaped by the coexistence of Indigenous communities, colonial influences, and ecological systems. By foregrounding the interconnectedness of humans and nature, Cather critiques exploitative attitudes toward land and emphasizes environmental stewardship rooted in Indigenous ecological wisdom. The study further explores how memory, place, and cultural identity intersect within ecological narratives, demonstrating the continuing relevance of Cathers works in contemporary discussions on environmental sustainability, Indigenous rights, and ethical relationships with the natural world.

Keywords : Ecocriticism, Indigenous Landscapes, Ecological Memory, Willa Cather, Environmental Humanities

DOI :

Page Number : 50-61