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Studies in Literature and Language ISSN 1923-1563[Online]

Vol. 22, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-9 www.cscanada.net
DOI:10.3968/11880 www.cscanada.org

Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’ Generosity

CHEN Yi[a],[b],*

Key words: Richard Powers; Generosity; Ecological

[a]
Ph.D. candidate, College of International Studies, Southwest
University, Chongqing, China.
[b]
Associate professor, School of Foreign Language, Chongqing philosophy; Human being ecology
University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China.
* Corresponding author.
Chen, Y. (2021). Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’
Supported by the Chongqing Social Science Planning Project Generosity. Studies in Literature and Language, 2 2(1), 1-9. Available
(2019WT37); Chongqing Education Committee Humanities and Social from: http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/sll/article/view/11880
Science Research Planning Project (18SKGH152); The Social Science DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/11880
Fund Project in Chongqing University of Science and Technology
(CK2017PY001).
Received 10 October 2020; accepted 2 December 2020
Published online 26 February 2021 INTRODUCTION
It is universally known that the earth is a huge
ecosphere formed by living things and their surrounding
Abstract environment. The natural environment provides living
Richard Powers is one of American famous contemporary
things with the shelter and habitat. As a special organism,
writers, a rising star of American postmodernist fiction,
human beings are also the most advanced species in the
and one of leading representatives of the Generation Xers
ecosphere and an important part of this ecosphere. Barry
as well. He explores the impacts of some factors such as
Commoner, one of prominent ecologists, clearly describes
ecological environment, social culture, and family ethics
the close relationship between human beings and natural
on our modern society by use of his abundant knowledge
environment. He points out that “Biologically，human
about gene engineer, neurology, family ethics, etc. He
beings participate in the environmental system as
explores the relationships between human and nature,
subsidiary parts of the whole.” (Commoner, 1971, p.25)
human and society, human and human. Generosity, fusing
In Marxist ecological philosophy, there are also some
science with literature perfectly, is one of prominent
profound descriptions of human beings, such as “Natural
information fictions by Richard Powers, which narrate a
existence”, “living natural existence” and “active natural
fascinating thoughtful story about the secret of happiness.
existence”. (Marx, 2002, p.324) points out that “When the
From the perspective of ecological philosophy, this
real the physical man who stands upon the solid, round
article explores human being ecology embodied in this
earth exhales and breathes into all the forces of nature”,
fiction, which thinks that the earth is an ecosphere, also
“is directly a natural being”. Therefore, human being is an
a largest ecosystem in which human being, just a part of
ecological existence in the earth’s ecosystem, with its own
it, is a small ecosystem and runs according to natural law.
ecology. But what is the ecology of human being? What
Ecological human being had his own ecology including
are its features? What are its functions? Nowadays, with
physical property, social property and understanding
the ecological imbalance and the deteriorating relationship
and attitudes towards nature. Excessive human activity,
between man and nature, these are all problems worth
especially the abuse of science and technology will result
our deep thinking and exploration. People all living in the
in destructive impact on human being ecology，bring
nature and engaging in the activities of life experience
about serious effect on normal running and harmonious
unique to humans, affect the cycle and evolution of the
evolvement of ecosystem containing human being and
earth’s ecosphere. Such activities of life experience may
nature, and it must be faced squarely and solved urgently.

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Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’ Generosity

also cause a variety of changes in the earth’s ecosystem. always seems extremely happy, interested in everything,
Therefore, it is of great importance to explore man’s full of expectation. Russell Stone, a melancholy magazine
ecology, correctly understand man’s position and role editor who has had trouble with both his career and his
in the earth’s ecosystem, solve various contradictions love life, teaches a writing course as a part time job
and problems between man and nature, and maintain at Thassadit’s school. The writing teacher was deeply
the balance and stability of the whole ecosystem. In his attracted by Thassadit’s extraordinary happiness, which
Generosity, Richard Powers, one of famous American was in sharp contrast with that of other students. He was
postmodernist writers ,with its unique perspective and also very puzzled by how a girl who had suffered a great
exquisite style of writing, explores human being ecology, shock in her life could appear so happy. Pain and sadness
lashes the bad behaviors breaking natural ecology, seems to have no connection with her and she has natural
calls for human consciousness to undertake the social immunity. He worried that the girl had a hyperthymia,
responsibility of maintaining harmonious ecology, also and decided to understand, care and protect her. Thomas
reveals the ultimate concern for human destiny. Kurton, an American genetic engineer, has long been
Richard Powers is a new postmodern American writer interested in studying the genes involved in mood, which
and an important representative of Generation X writers. he calls the “happiness gene”. Through a number of
He is known as the master of contemporary literature. studies, he has found some associations, but no direct
Critics often compare him with Thomas Pynchon, an evidence that human being have a “happiness gene”. In
outstanding American postmodern literature master, and the case of an attempted rape by one of her classmates,
call him the “first major voice of the post-Pynchon era the kind-hearted Thassadit persuaded him to give up his
“ (Dewey, 2002, p.4). His works cover topics such as violation and maintained an optimistic and happy style in
culture, science and technology, ethics, and ecological her daily life. So, Thassadit was called “a happy victim”
protection, trying to explore the relationship between that attracted the great attention of Thomas Kurton, who
science and human beings. Today, with the rapid realized that Thassadit was probably the most convincing
development of science and technology and the highly example of the happiness gene he had discovered in
developed human civilization, he pays close attention humans. He managed to get in touch with Thassa And
to the relationship between man and nature, and makes persuade her to come to his research centre for a genetic
philosophical reflections on the problems between man test, which confirmed his earlier findings that modern
and nature. He believes that the environmental crisis and people are not unhappy, just do not have the happiness
ecological disaster caused by the contradictions between gene, and that by strengthening the gene, everyone can
human being and nature are ultimately the problems be happy every day. The secret of Thassadit ‘s happiness
of man. He explores human being ecology from the gene was leaked out, the media and the Internet were
perspective of a litterateur to find a way out to solve buzzing with stories about her, and fanatical people were
ecological problems and express his own ecological searching for her just to meet, to talk about her secret, to
thoughts. ask for her help, and even to pay a lot of money for her
Generosity is Richard Powers’ fifth book, completed eggs in order to change their genes and become happy
in 2009. Once the book was published, it received perpetually. Unable to continue to settle down to finish her
wide attention and praise. He has been rewarded with studies due to the pressure from the media, the Internet
Notable/Best Books of Chicago Tribune, Kansas City and fanatical people, she became no longer happy and had
Star, San Francisco Examiner, Oprah Book Club, King to flee. During the escape, she is overwhelmed and on the
County Library System (WA), Booklist, New York Times, verge of collapse, she secretly took hypnotics to commit
Washington Post Book World, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, suicide, but fortunately Russell Stone found out in time,
American Library Association. With Typical features of called the police to help, only to survive.
informational fiction, this novel is humorous in language In Generosity, Richard Powers urges people to think
and vivid in description. It mainly tells a story about about the present and future of human beings and explores
genes and happiness, explores the combination of science the nature and attributes of human beings from his own
and literature and art, as well as the connotation of human unique perspective. Scholars at home and abroad have
being ecology. The hero of the story named Thassadit conducted in-depth research on this work and achieved
Amzwar from Algeria, is studying in a university of some results. Duan Junxia (2012, pp.88-90.) studied
Chicago. She herself is the Algerian refugees and the theme of the novel from the perspective of genetic
experiences national civil war, unrest. In order to survive, ethics, and believed that the unlimited development and
she has to with her mother flee to France, Canada and abuse of genetic science would cause a lot of social and
other countries, and finally the United States. Thassadit ethical problems, and that scientific research should be
undergoes lots of hardships and strikes: her father was controlled without destroying human nature and natural
shot and killed due to adhering to his beliefs, mother laws, so that science could truly benefit human beings.
also died, the younger brother suffered at home. But she Her Another article also casts doubt on the idea that

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 CHEN Yi (2021).
Studies in Literature and Language, 22 (1), 1-9

happiness comes from genes, and reminds people to pay animal, which has evolved from the ape and has the
more attention to the use of technology (Duan, 2012, general characteristics of animals, such as bones, flesh,
pp.19-20). Dan Cryer (2009) argues that the author raises limbs, hair and other biological natural characteristics.
the thesis of “what makes a man human?”. If genetic Man comes from nature, and he is closely connected
engineering can make us happier, should we be allowed with nature. Nature provides human evolution and
to do so? He also believed that science not only created development with environment and nutrient, Engels (2009,
human miracles and promoted progress, but also opened p.161) points out the physical properties of human being
Pandora’s box and made human beings fall into a moral and he says that “we together with our flesh and blood and
and ethical dilemma. Tony Miksanek (2010, pp.31-32) mind are belongs to the nature and exists in nature.” As
thinks the novel explores the possibilities and limitations human beings belong to living organisms, their physical
of science. He points out that science is a double-edged components are also not static and independent, which
sword, which may bring disaster as well as convenience to constitute the ecosystem supporting the human experience
human beings. John DLantos ( 2010, pp.22-25) compared of life activity, also have its own ecology. They are
Generosity with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks， also a “living ecosystem with internal relationships, a
a book by Rebecca Skloot，another famous American complex network of dynamic, non-linear, never-ending
science writer, , and argued that Richard Powers offered interactions between life factors”. (Sun, 2012, pp.221-
questions of human nature and desire and how to balance 222). Each component part of the human body ecosystem
individuality and commonness. Kyndra Turner (2015) is developing and dynamic with its own laws. It maintains
argues that the author calls for a re-examination of human a state of balance in the process of natural development.
interrelationships with other species, with particular Any forced change will break this state of balance and
attention to the low predictability, high variability and break its ecology, which will bring great harm to human
usual extremes of ecosystems, and that humans should not beings. Man will no longer be man in the true sense of the
attempt to control and consume biological substances that word.
can alter human and non-human beings with drugs and In Generosity, Richard Powers creates a series of
genes, but as part of the physical form. Through this work, impressive characters: Russell Stone, a melancholic
Powell believes that happiness is not only in the brain or magazine editor and part-time literary writing teacher;
genes, but also requires continuous communication and Thassadit Azwar, is ebullient and cheerful, called The
interaction between the brain, body, cultural background “generous girl”; Tonia Schiff, “Least fetishized by
and environment. science,”, a righteous science presenter; Thomas Kurton,
the most authoritative, the most outstanding master of
genetics, genetic engineer, entrepreneur; Oona, a talk
1. HUMAN BEING’S PHYSICAL ECOLOGY show host, known as “the most powerful woman in the
In the process of long evolution, as a member of the world”; Candice Weld, a sensitive single mother and
earth’s ecosphere, human beings, like other organisms, college psychologist; In an addition to Thassadit’s other
have the attributes of physical ecology as living classmates with different costumes and styles in Russell’s
organisms, reflecting the natural attributes of human writing class etc. They have the physical attributes of
beings. Human being includes physical factors such as human beings as biological organisms and are engaged
human body structure, skin, hair, blood and genes and in rich and colorful life experience activities. At the
so on, providing a carrier for human being to carry out same time, they also have the personality characteristics,
rich and colorful life experience activities. Without the emotional expression and spiritual needs of human beings
strong support provided by human body, genes and other as a special advanced species in the earth’s ecosphere.
physical factors, human life experience becomes a castle Human being’s joys and sorrows constitute an important
in the air, a water without source, without the end of part of human’s physical ecological attributes and are
origin, and human being will be unable to appreciate the also distinct from other living organisms. Only in the
magnificent and beautiful nature, and unable to create process of continuous development and evolution, human
the glorious history and splendid civilization of human beings can interact with the environment continuously
beings. The physical attributes of human are also reflected and improve themselves. Human being should not use
in the naturalness and biology of human as an organism. the science and technology at his disposal to arbitrarily
Zhou Guangxun (2015, p.25.) believes that the naturalness alter his peculiar nature. Represented by geneticist
of human is the natural attributes of human, which usually Thomas Kurton, the science supremacists believe that
means the biological attributes of human, that is, the body science and technology can be omnipotent. They deny
tissues and organ composition acquired by human through the laws of nature, ignore the physical and ecological
biological inheritance, which are the basic attributes attributes of human beings, and despise evolution. Under
of human in biological and physiological significance. the guise of human happiness, they try to make human
Biologically speaking, human being is also a kind of beings happy through the so-called gene enhancement

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Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’ Generosity

technology they study. Instead of treating humans as the after another, such as middle-aged people waiting for
only sentient, intelligent, and sentient beings in the earth’s the train, young people in leather jackets in front of the
ecosystem, they are assembled at will, just like other parts bungalow. Even when she escaped from the public tending
of animals, plants, and even non-living experiences. As to buy her eggs or consulting the secret of happiness to
a result, human beings will be objectified. They will not live in the house of her classmates, she did not forget to
be human beings, but so-called robots, intelligent people find the beauty in life and make her life full and happy.
and mutated people. Power mercilessly lampooned this She stayed in her apartment all day, afraid to go out. It
behavior with humor: was hot and sweaty, but she was happy and brought back
“On the tiny screen, a brown infant girl in a lime jumper takes
her first memories. This state of optimism and happiness
three speedy all-fours strides, then hoists herself vertical on the is vividly described in the novel:
leg of coffee table. She swells with her dazzling triumph over “For hours, she points her camera out Adam’s fifth-story
gravity. She squeals in ecstasy and cuts loose, releasing the window, toward Eighteenth Street, filming the Mexican shoppers
table leg to tear across the open frontier of carpet. Two steps in, passing in front of the once Bohemian and Polish neo-baroque
she slams into nothing, comes to a splendidly unplanned stop, buildings. Then she loads her clips into the editing software on
and drops seat-first to earth. She sits, stunned by the setback, her notebook, using her graphics tablet to paint over and animate
on the threshold of howling. Instead She breaks out into gales them. As imprisonments go, this one is omnipotent. Sometimes
of untouchable laughter. Her head swivels around the room， she uses Adam’s Internet connection to go online and see what
already planning her next bone-jarring, breaks into unknown the world is saying about her. She finds the website that says she
regions. ” (Powers, 2009, p.293) would be killed. She begins to see why some people might want
Happiness is a unique human emotional experience that.” (Powers, 2009, p.253)
and shows the spiritual enlightenment and satisfaction. It Even while driving away with Stone to Canada,
gives people a feeling of comfort, is also a happy state of she still “holds her camera on her lap, often lifting and
human beings. Happiness, as a unique human emotional pointing it over the dash or though the passage window. If
experience, is the embodiment of human physical she’s really filming, all she’s getting is desolate Midwest
ecological attributes, but the content of human emotional motion blur.” Powers, 2009, p.275). Thassadit Azwar was
experience is not innate, from genes, but from human always curious and hopeful about everything in life. She
acquired life experience activities. As Human beings live could find beauty and joy in ordinary things, such as the
in this world, due to the differences in birth environment, evening on the seashore, the distant mountains outside
life experience and so on, their life circumstances may the window, the square in the center of the city, etc., and
be different and they may experience both prosperity and regarded them as a gift from god. She believed that all
adversity. Difficulties and frustrations may make people existence is a gift from God. How could someone with
vulnerable and lead to negative feelings of depression, such an attitude not be happy? Chen Changkai (2010)
disappointment and even despair. But with the right thinks that people usually re-examine the meaning of
attitude towards them and proper handling, they can also life after experiencing disasters. Although catastrophic
have a positive impact on one’s success and happiness. events themselves are unlikely to trigger happiness,
The scholars Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004, pp.1-18) argue they may enable individuals to reconstruct the concept
that Trauma will shock or destroy the important goals and of happiness from three aspects, namely cognition,
world outlook of human being and the individual will be need and emotion, and thus change the conditions that
faced with great challenges. He needs to establish and promote happiness. Life is not always smooth and
form higher goals and beliefs, generate new life narratives, there are storms. But as long as we treat it correctly and
and regulate and relieve his own painful emotions. persevere, we will experience a different life on the way
Thassadit Azwar , the protagonist of the novel, suffered forward. Thassadit Azwar went through the national war
from frequent civil strife in the country. Her father was and family misfortunes and he cherished the chance to
shot and her mother died of cancer. She fled to her aunt’s survive and study in the United States. She was diligent
house in Canada and then went to the United States to and progressive, taking courses in culture, history, race,
study. After going through all kinds of difficulties, she ecology, etc. In class, she was full of vitality, actively
cherishes the peaceful living and learning environment spoke, and created a warm classroom atmosphere, which
very much. She is very lucky that she can still live in this made a sharp contrast with other students. In the dorm,
world, while her relatives, clansmen and compatriots are she was friendly and willing to communicate with anyone,
still living in great suffering. Many people also lost their even new acquaintances, who quickly became good
lives innocently. As a result, she has low demands on life friends.
itself and is easily satisfied with everything around her. In the novel, Thassadit Azwar is believed to have the
She cherishes every detail of her life and always carries happiness gene, to be happy by nature and to be free from
a camera with her when she goes out. She went deep into negative emotions such as pain, worry, unhappiness and
the community, carefully observed every little detail of despair. Is this really the case？As a member of the earth’s
life, with the camera recorded the life that moved her one ecosphere, in the process of long-term evolution, human

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 CHEN Yi (2021).
Studies in Literature and Language, 22 (1), 1-9

beings have formed their own ecological system, with its evolution, human beings interact with nature. Human
own ecological nature. The positive and negative emotions beings exert influences on nature through practical
such as happiness, anger, sorrow and joy of human activities. He not only changes the form of the things
beings constitute the unique physical ecological attributes in nature, but also realizes his purpose in the things in
of human beings. Thassadit Azwar is no exception. nature. He uses the attributes of various natural objects
Although she seems to show people her happiness and to enrich his life activities and promote his ability to live
joy, without pain and unhappiness. In fact, this is not in the earth. In practical activities, human beings have
exactly the case in a careful analysis of the text. In realized the division of labor between their hands and
addition to her impressive joy and happiness, she also had feet, formed language and improved thinking. In the
negative feelings of tension, insecurity, pain, annoyance, process of personal, collective and social relations, human
depression, and even despair, just like ordinary people. beings have gradually formed their own ethics, morals
She was troubled by the constant visits to the press and and codes of conduct. However, these ethics and morals
the public to know the secret of her happiness. During her are not static and unchangeable, but develop and change
first interview on an American talk show by Oona, one of with the development of nature and society, as well as the
popular hosts in America, she “stumbles from the wings, improvement of people’s tool use ability and cognition
squinting in the Klieg lights’ blaze.”, and she seems to level, and maintain a dynamic balance. In a long period of
be nervous. (Powers, 2009, p.219) She was furious at the human history, inbreeding has been regarded as a normal
media hype and pursuit. She was speechless, helpless and behavior. However, with the development of society
frustrated by the frenzy over her egg donation in pursuit of and human progress, people gradually realize that this
the happiness gene, and her eggs “skyrocketed to $32,000. behavior violates ethics and will lead to genetic defects
She thinks that it is ridiculous because she herself doesn’t of offspring and other risks. The development of modern
believe in the “happiness gene”. She had said that they genetic engineering science, if not carefully considered,
make her like a biological factory for Hermes. Everyone and strengthened management, may exacerbate this risk.
can get happiness they want, but it is certainly not innate Through this work, the author expresses his deep concern
doomed. She also thinks that there’s nothing special in her about this issue. Some scientists are keen on the research
blood. Like most of us, Thassa did not lose her sense of of human cloning, and it has become a reality in some
sadness. In a post titled “Not Crying is Not a Woman,” a countries, which has also caused some insightful people’s
netizen named Queen Eliza The Beast thinks that if Jane doubts and objections. They believe that this is a lack of
is not sad, she must have lost something deeper, more respect for human life and dignity, and that the biological
mysterious, and more fundamental about being human. defects of human cloning may endanger human survival.
Finally when she asked Russell stone to driving with her This scientific research is like Pandora’s box. Once it is
to escape from the United States, she still makes up, “She’s opened, the consequences would be unpredictable.
wearing sunglass, a dun-colored scarf, and drab olive The United States is the world’s most advanced
sweats designed to invisible”. Even her hair was changed, country for genetic engineering research, and Thomas
“her hair has been cut harshly and dyed reddish brown.” Kurtton, a genetic scientist in the novel, proudly declares
During driving on the way to Canada, “she doesn’t need to that a single cup of coffee can be used to obtain a genetic
stop to stretch or relieve herself. She needs nothing to eat map of a person, which can identify his or her ancestors
or drink. She wants only to keep driving. When they do and descendants, predict his or her state of health and
stop for gas outside Sandusky, she won’t take more than personal development,, and even grasp his way of life and
three steps away from the car.” (ibid, p.274) Like most natural death. The IVF technology in the United States has
of us, she gets nervous in certain emergency situations. been very mature, and the laws and policies of the United
Desperate when she was denied entry to Canada because States also allow its citizens to have IVF babies, which is
of visa problems, she secretly took Russell Stone’s sought after by many people. The United States was the
sleeping pills and committed suicide. How ironic that an first country to establish a sperm bank in 1964 and has
enviable person who is supposed to have the happiness the largest number of sperm Banks in the world. In the
gene should be nervous, depressed, desperate and even novel, people pay high prices for the eggs of Thassa in
suicidal! order to obtain what they call the “happiness gene”, which
reflects the booming sperm banking and sperm industry
in the United States, which is closely related to gene
2 . T H E E C O L O G I C A L N AT U R E O F technology. It is reported that the U.S. economy is the
HUMAN ETHICS most active growth sperm industry, and the industry every
year for the American value created is as high as $100
From the perspective of genetic research, human beings
million. The sperm industry not only meets the needs of
are evolved from earth organisms and come from the
some people and brings benefits to the national economy,
earth nature. They are all part of the nature, just like other
but also brings profound ethical concerns to mankind.
organisms in the ecosphere. In the process of natural

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Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’ Generosity

Sperm donors may carry recessive genetic diseases, sparking transformer, soothing her.” (ibid, p.168) She
inbreeding, same-sex or single-parent reproduction and went to comfort Candace, who had been frightened by the
other issues, which will have a destructive impact on incident, and joked with Candace’s little boy in Arabic,
human ethics and ecology, as well as endanger human singing songs to ease the child’s fear. When Thassa was
reproduction and survival. The hidden troubles of the invited by geneticist Kurton to Boston for a genetic test,
American reproductive industry have also received she wandered around the streets, and “she gives all her
media attention. According to the Washington Post, a girl money to street people. She listens to the buskers in the
named Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has joined a club of subway, staying for three full songs and applauding, solo,
sperm donors’ offspring in search of her siblings. After a after each.” (ibid, p.149) Another character in the novel,
strenuous effort, she threw a party for the sperm donors’ Tonia Schiff, is the host of a science program called
descendants, attracting 45 people but not all. The 45 “Beyond limits.” She is objective and fair, and she knows
brothers and sisters live in eight US states and in countries the bottom line. She is called “America’s most irreverent
including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Because science television journalist”. During the production of
of privacy concerns, sperm donors do not leave their true a program about Thassa’s “Happy Gene”, she objected
information, and American law supports this practice, so to the fact that the interview was edited arbitrarily for
the next generation of sperm donors is likely to be closely the sake of the program’s effect. At the risk of offending
related, which will cause their offspring to be born with colleagues and superiors, he would resign and lose his job
defects. Richard Powers warns people to pay attention to rather than compromise, maintaining the bottom line and
human ethics and ecology, maintain a cautious attitude professional ethics of a journalist. This is also the moral
towards genetic technology, and pay more attention to character that Richard Powers supports and promotes.
human ecology. 3. Human being’s natural ecological identity
In the evolution history of human civilization, human, Human being’s recognition of natural ecology is an
society and nature are interrelated and interacted with important embodiment of man’s ecology and an important
each other, forming a complex ecosystem of human- guarantee for the harmonious and stable existence of the
society-nature. In order to ensure the order of the whole whole nature. As an “ecological” person, he should deeply
society, complete ethical and moral concepts have been realize that nature itself is a huge ecosystem composed
gradually formed. These ethical and moral concepts have of living and non-living things, and its operation is not
promoted the harmony among people and between human subject to the subjective will of human beings. In terms
and society, which is of great significance for improving of the relationship between man and nature, man is a part
the relationship between human and nature and achieving of nature. From a biological point of view, Commoner
a balance. Kindness, friendliness and helpfulness are also proposed that human beings participate in the
important manifestations of ethics and morals, which are environmental system as subsidiary parts of the whole
also endorsed and strongly advocated by Richard Powers. (Commoner, 1971, p.25) The earth, the largest ecosphere,
The hero of the novel, the owner of the “happiness gene”, provides shelter and living environment for human beings.
Thassa, is optimistic, kind and compassionate. She always Although human beings are the most advanced species
thinks of helping others and hopes everyone can live a in nature, they still have no power over nature. Human
good life. Despite all the ups and downs, she still maintain beings should have a heartfelt recognition and respect
a positive attitude toward life. Russell Stone, her writing for natural ecology, rather than just blindly snatching and
teacher, was frustrated in career and love and pessimistic trampling on nature. Mankind should respect the laws
about life. She always comforted and encouraged him. of natural ecology, take good care of nature and protect
She did this not only to those people she knew, but also the natural ecological environment, so as to create a
to those people she did not know, as described in the stable, appropriate and sustainable living environment
novel:” She just wants him to be well. Same as she wants for mankind and realize balanced development and
from any stranger she passes on the street. She just needs harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
him to delight in the world’s obvious inconsequence. In primitive society, due to the underground productive
It’s all she’s ever needed from anyone, in any country.” forces, nature has a mysterious power for human beings.
(Powers, 2009, p.83) One night, while out with Stone, Human beings think they are the attachment part of
Candice and their children, she was caught in the snow nature, so they are in awe of nature. However, with the
and ice and had a bad fall, but she “ crawls up on knees, improvement of human understanding and the use of more
giggling in pain and begging the others to take care. ” and more advanced tools, the scope of human action on
(ibid, p.168) She comforted every terrified neighbor nature is more and more extensive, deeper and stronger.
when suddenly a transformer exploded and sparks flew Man has gradually lost his reverence for nature, and his
and a terrified Indian woman next to her shouted. She destruction of nature has become more and more serious.
“skates to her side, helping her up and calm her down.” This disruption has been exacerbated by the use of new
(ibid, p.168) She “helps the Indian woman way from the technologies, especially since the Industrial Revolution.

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 CHEN Yi (2021).
Studies in Literature and Language, 22 (1), 1-9

Every coin has two sides. Although new technology brings Nebraska rivers, trees and forest, the natural scenery such
a lot of convenience to human beings, it also aggravates as cranes, vivid, nuanced, expressed his love of nature,
the contradiction between environment and economy. they are a harmonious ecological system, and the external
Commoner points out that “The new technology is an environment for human survival.
economic success—but only because it is an ecological In Echo Maker, a Winner of the US National Book
failure.” (Commoner, 1971, p.194) What is the reason why Award and a Pulitzer Prize nominee, Richard Powers
economic success leads to ecological failure? He thinks vividly and nuancedly portrays the beautiful natural
that “if the ecological failure of modern technology is due scenery in Nebraska such as rivers, trees, forests, sandhill
to its success in accomplishing what it sets out to do, then cranes and so on. He expresses his deep love of nature as
the fault lies in its aims.” (Commoner, 1971, p.236) This a harmonious ecosystem and an external environment for
has to cause us to think about this issue deeply. human existence. But in his book Generosity, although
Jonathan Bate, a famous British ecologist, has there are few direct description and praise of natural
described in detail the profound danger that the growing ecology, Richard Power express its ecological thought
ecological crisis brings to nature and human beings in in negative way, by telling the negative impact of human
Song of the Earth, his masterpiece of ecological criticism: activities on the nature and human’s survival environment.
“As the BEGTNNTNG of the third millennium of the Christian
He also expresses his concern about the deterioration of
era, the state of nature is parlous. The litany of present and the relationship between man and nature, and hopes that
impending catastrophes is all too familiar. Carbon dioxide human being should not only focus on himself, but also
produced by the burning of fossil fuels is trapping the heat of the extend his concern to all communities in the nature.
sun, causing the planet to become warmer. Glaciers and perma- Generosity is divided into five parts and it is instructive
frost are melting, sea levels rising, rainfall patterns changing,
winds growing stronger. Meanwhile, the oceans are overfished,
that Richard Powers entitles the first part “Of Strange
deserts are spreading, forests shrinking, fresh water becoming Lands and People”. He calls on people to think deeply
scarcer. The diversity of species upon the planet is diminishing. about the relationship between man and nature and puts
We live in a world of toxic waste, acid rain and endocrine forward a philosophical proposition about where human
disrupters - chemicals which interfere with the functioning of sex being should go. Marxist ecological philosophy holds that
hormones, causing male fish and birds to change sex. The urban
air carries a cocktail of pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, sulphur
man and nature are a dialectical relationship between the
dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide and more. ln intensively part and the whole. They depend on each other, interact
farmed economies, the topsoil is so eroded that the growth of with each other and evolve together, but human being is
cereal crops is entirely dependent on artificial fertilizers. The absolutely dependent on the natural environment Marx
feeding of dead poultry to living cattle has bequeathed us bovine thinks that man lives by nature and nature is the human
spongiform encephalopathy (‘mad cow disease’), which causes
the collapse of the central nervous system and is transmissible to
body with which it must be in a continuous process of
humans. ” (Bate, 2000, p.24.) interaction in order not to die. Human being’s physical
and mental life is connected with nature, and human
From above what Bate describes, we can see that our being is a part of nature. However, with the evolution of
planet is being flooded with all kinds of hazardous waste, human society, the level of human intelligence has also
acid rain, pollutants and so on. The natural ecology of the been greatly improved. There are more and more ways for
earth has been seriously damaged, and the emergence of human to act on nature and exert more and more influence
these ecological crises is the result of human activities on nature. People’s worship of nature is gradually
ignoring the natural ecology, violating the laws of nature transformed into a proud look down on nature, and the
and interfering in the operation of nature, which is rooted intimate relationship between human and nature has also
in the deep-rooted anthropocentrism and the dualism of become “strange”. The urbanization of which mankind is
separation between man and nature. In order to solve this proud is increasingly revealing a worrying crisis. In the
problem and abandon anthropocentrism and dualism, we opening paragraph, Richard Powers gives this description
must adhere to the holistic world view, surpass our own of the city in which the hero lives:
interests, take the interests of the whole earth’s ecosystem “A man rides backward in a packed subway car. This must be
as the code of conduct, and take effective measures to almost fall, the season of revision. I picture him in the thick of
protect the ecological environment. Only in this way bequest, tunneling, beneath the I Will City, The world’s twenty-
fifth biggest urnban sprawl, one wedged in the population charts
can we rebuild the ecological balance and restore the between Tianjing and Lima.He hums some calming mantra to
harmonious relationship between man and nature. Human himself, a song with the name Chicago in it, but the train downs
beings’ true recognition of natural ecology lies in their out the tune.” (Powers, 2009, p.3)
thinking of the overall interests of the earth’s ecology.
It can be seen that the description of the whole
Only when we correctly recognize our position and role in
paragraph gives people a sense of chaos, crowding,
nature, can we truly protect natural ecology.
disorder and depression. Without embellishment and
In won a nomination of national book award and the
rendering of natural scenery such as flowers, birds,
Pulitzer’s “the echo maker,” Richard Power’s internal
insects, trees and forests, human environment seems to be

7 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

Human Being Ecology in Richard Powers’ Generosity

less lively, flexible, peaceful and quiet, which also forms “They stand at the glass wall, elbow, watching crowds flow
the general tone of the whole novel. In this environment, through the gorges below them. The city turns into a techno-
opera, a glorious nanotechnological enterprise beyond the
the protagonist Russell stone, although only 32 years old, power of any coordinated forces to engineer. They find their
seems to be much older and give us a deep dark and dusty neighborhoods, the college, six universities, a dozen museums
frustration: he wore dull jeans, a maroon work shirt, and a and monuments, the dead stockyards and living stadiums,
blue windbreaker with a broken zipper. He was as pale as churches and commodities exchanges, the river-reversing
anyone on the subway, with hair that could not be parted, channel, the four-mile-wide-particle accelerator off in the
distance. The city is a staging ground too huge and hungry to
waiting to be scolded. His eyes were somewhere between dope out, lying like a scale maquette at their feet.” (Richard
hazel and brown, and his face looked as if it were six Powers, 2009, p.95)
hundred years old. He had the air of a Franciscan novice
in a mysterious scene in a medieval monastery. Powers calls for respecting life and nature, maintaining
The further description of the city where the hero lives the recognition of natural ecology, regulating human
shows the rapid development of the city and the noise of activities and behaviors in accordance with the laws
the environment, and the contradiction between human of natural operation, and realizing the coordinated
and nature is increasingly intensified: development between human and nature. He writes in his
“Early evening, four dozen feet below the City on the Make: novel:
every minute, the train tunnels underneath more humans than
would fit in a fundamentalist’s heaven. Aboveground, it must “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers,
be rainy and already dark. The train stops and more homebound having been originally breathed the Creator into a few forms
workers press in, trickling September drizzle. This is the fifth or into one; and that, whilst his planet has gone by cycling on
year since the number of people living in the cities out stripped according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning
those who don’t .” (Powers, 2009, p.4) endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been,
and are being, evolved. ” (ibid, p.42)
The continuous emergence of cities, high-rise
buildings, booming industries, the rapid establishment The planet we inhabit is the largest ecosphere. Humans
of all kinds of factories, as well as subways and other and other living organisms and non-living matter are
convenient means of transportation to demonstrate human interdependent and interlinked, forming a beautiful
intelligence and scientific civilization, a large increase global village together. As the highest form of life in the
in the population, and so on, all these things show the ecosphere, human beings have no privilege to transcend
human intelligence and wisdom and its production and the ecosphere. Human being only stays awake for their
management activities of the huge influence. The idea role in the ecosystem, awe to nature, to keep the natural
that man can conquer and dominate nature, exerted a ecology, and take positive actions to protect and preserve
very negative influence on the correct understanding of of our natural environment. the flower of life on our
the relationship between man and nature. In discussing planet can bloom t brilliantly and beautifully.
his scientific positivism, Auguaste Comte, declares that
the progress of human civilization is determined by the
development of human mind, such development and CONCLUSION
in other words, the continuous strengthening of human
As an important information novel of Powers, Generosity
ability to control nature. (Comte, 1911, p.144). Also
realizes the dialogue between science and literature, and
another scholar, Emmanuel G. Methene, praises the
also contains profound ecological propositions. Facing
technological prowess of man. He states that as man’s
the increasingly serious ecological crisis, it urges people
confidence and strength have been restored, nature is
to reflect on the root of the problem and find the way to
increasingly under his control and human beings are
solve it. Especially in the relationship between man and
living in an age where for the first time it is possible to get
nature, how man views nature and the planet he lives on
rid of the repression that has plagued the human race since
should be the key to the problem. However, due to the
its emergence. (Methene,1967, p.492) He believes that
hubris, arrogance and endless desire, human beings often
humans had been liberated from the bondage of natural
treat nature badly, which causes a series of environmental
control and should no longer be submissive to nature.
problems and endangers the survival of human beings.
Power thinks that the emergence and development
The earth is part of our ‘body’ and we must learn to
of cities shows the impact of human activities imposed
respect it as much as we respect ourselves; As much as
on nature, also represents human’s endless desires and
we love ourselves, we must love all life on this planet. As
wanton, ignoring the regularity of natural ecology, and
a part of the earth’s ecosphere, human beings are also a
the natural relations have also become more and more
small ecological system, which operates according to the
alienated. In a way, the city has become synonymous with
laws of nature and has an ecological nature. It is closely
hunger and greed. He shows this environment through the
connected with human beings, society and nature. The
eyes of Stone, Candice and Gable:

Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 8

 CHEN Yi (2021).
Studies in Literature and Language, 22 (1), 1-9

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9 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture