Volume V Special Issue IV October 2025

Name of Author : Shaline Jenifah D, Dr. D. Jockim

Title of the paper : A Blurring of Hierarchies: A (Post)Humanistic Reading of Margaret Atwoods The Year of the Flood

Abstract: As opposed to humanism which considers humans as the centre of the cosmos, posthumanism perspective rejects anthropocentricism. This decentering blurs the categorical dichotomies of the human and the non human, thereby claiming that humans, environment, technology and God are no longer separate entities but they are entangled. Margaret Atwoods The Year of the Flood, one of the novels of her MaddAddam trilogy depicts the conflict between the Corporations and the Gods Gardeners. The Corporations have anthropocentric approach, on the contrary, the Gods Gardeners have a posthumanistic viewpoint as their focal point is the interconnectedness and intra-actions of humans, flora, fauna and technology. Unlike the Corporations who reject God, the Gods Gardeners view God in all life forms and have technological humility. This research paper aims to explore the power hierarchy of humans, environment, technology and God in The Year of the Flood through the lens of humanism and posthumanism. It also attempts to trace the interplay between the idea of human dominance and the reciprocating influence of non humans.

Keywords : Hierarchy, Humanism, Posthumanism, Environment, and Technology.

DOI :

Page Number : 98-101