ECO-PSYCHOLOGICAL LIBERATION IN YAHYA ASHOUR'S SELECTIVE POETRY

Abstract

The Palestinian people have a deep affinity for nature, particularly expressed through their affection for olive trees, the sea, and the open sky. To them, these natural elements symbolize a deep connection with the land and their identity. Unfortunately, the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has resulted in the destruction of these cherished natural elements; e.g., olive trees are uprooted to clear space for illegal Israeli settlements, the sea is bombed, and the sky is polluted with dust and smoke, making it difficult to breathe both in real and figurative sense. This not only affects the land but also undermines the Palestinians sense of self.

This study examines the eco-psychological components present in the poetry of Yahya Ashour with emphasis on interaction between human psyche and the natural world. The study aims to explore how the poet’s engagement with nature acts as a catalyst for psychological liberation, emphasizing the potential for freedom, healing, and catharsis amidst the challenges of living under siege in Gaza. It intends to illustrate the symbolic use of natural elements to form ecological relationships and reveal the psychological depth embedded in Ashour’s poems.

Using qualitative methodology, which includes conceptual content analysis of selected poems translated from Arabic to English by Ashour himself, the research aims to examine how Ashour’s poetry captures and reflects free-flowing thoughts as a coping mechanism for ongoing trauma. The study will be guided by the theory of Howard Clineball, proposing that individuals can achieve psychological wholeness by reconnecting with nature, and that individual form ecological identity when they perceive themselves as essential parts of the natural world. Therefore, the study seeks to demonstrate that association with natural elements can enhance self-awareness and form ecological identity, resulting in self-discovery and psychological restoration despite the Palestinian's restricted physical mobility.